EXPANSION OF ANTYODAYA ANNA YOJANA
FIVE STATES
COMPLETE IDENTIFICATION
Five States have
completed completion of identification of families to be covered
under expanded Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) for issue of highly
subsidised foodgrains. The Government of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
have intimated completion of identification and issue of distinctive
ration cards to all the additional Antyodaya families in the states.
Government of Madhya Pradesh has identified all the 3.164 lakh
additional AAY families but distinctive ration cards were issued
to only 2.248 lakh of the identified families. The Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has already issued
necessary orders for allocation of foodgrains to these families.
The State of Rajasthan and Sikkim have also intimated that the
identification of additional families have been completed and
issue of distinctive ration cards are in progress.
Food Ministry has
issued guidelines to State Governments and UT Administrations
in June 2003 for identification of 50 lakh additional BPL ( Below
Poverty Line) families for coverage under Antyodaya Anna Yojana
and for issue of distinctive ration cards to them. The allocation
of foodgrains to 50 lakh additional AAY families is estimated
to incur an additional subsidy of approximately Rs. 510 crore.
Shri Sharad Yadav,
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has
urged all state governments and Union Territory Administrations
to expedite the process of identification of AAY families and
issue of distinctive ration cards to extend the benefit of the
Scheme to additional 50 lakh BPL families in the country.
