Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) 2023-24: A Scheme to End Hunger in India

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): India is a country with a large population and a high level of poverty. According to the World Bank, about 22% of Indians lived below the poverty line in 2011-12, which means they had less than $1.9 per day to spend. Many of these poor people face the problem of food insecurity, which means they do not have enough food to meet their basic nutritional needs. Hunger and malnutrition can have serious consequences for health, education, and productivity.

To address this issue, the Government of India launched the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) in December 2000. The AAY is a public distribution system scheme that aims to provide highly subsidised food grains to the poorest of the poor families in India. The main objective of the scheme is to ensure food security and to create a hunger-free India.

What is the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)?

The AAY is a scheme that covers the poorest of the poor households from among the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families covered under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). The TPDS is a system that provides subsidised food grains and other essential commodities to the poor through a network of fair price shops.

The AAY was launched by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 25 December 2000 and first implemented in the state of Rajasthan. The scheme was developed by the then Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister, N Sri Vishnu.

The AAY provides 35 kg of food grains per month to each eligible household at a highly subsidised rate of Rs. 2 per kg for wheat and Rs. 3 per kg for rice and Re. 1 for coarse grains. The cost of transportation, distribution, and dealer’s margin is borne by the state governments.

The AAY initially covered one crore (10 million) poorest of the poor families, which was about 5% of the total population in the country. The scheme was expanded twice, once in June 2003 and then in August 2004, adding 50 lakh (5 million) BPL families each time. The scheme now covers 2.5 crore (25 million) poorest of the poor families, which is about 12% of the total population in the country.

How to Apply for the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)?

To apply for the AAY, a household has to be identified as eligible by the state government through a survey. The survey is conducted by the state rural development departments using various criteria such as income, occupation, landholding, social status, etc. The survey is updated periodically to include new beneficiaries and exclude ineligible ones.

Once a household is identified as eligible, it is given a unique Antyodaya Ration Card, which is also called the PDS yellow card. This card acts as a form of identification, proving that the bearer is authorized to receive the level of rations the card describes. The card also contains the details of the household members, such as name, age, gender, etc. The card is valid for a period of five years and can be renewed after verification.

The Antyodaya Ration Card holders can avail the benefits of the AAY by visiting the nearest fair price shop in their area. They have to present their card and pay the required amount to get the food grains. The fair price shops are monitored by the state governments and the central government to ensure the quality and quantity of the food grains and to prevent any leakage or diversion.

What are the Benefits of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)?

The AAY is a scheme that has several benefits for the poor and the society. Some of the benefits are:

• The AAY provides food security to the poorest of the poor, who otherwise may not have access to adequate food. The scheme helps them to meet their basic nutritional requirements and to improve their health and well-being.
• The AAY reduces the vulnerability of the poor to hunger and famine, especially during natural disasters, droughts, floods, etc. The scheme acts as a safety net and a coping mechanism for the poor in times of crisis.
• The AAY empowers the poor and gives them a sense of dignity and self-respect. The scheme enables them to participate in the economic and social activities of the society and to contribute to the national development.
• The AAY also has positive spillover effects on the economy and the environment. The scheme reduces the demand for food grains in the open market and stabilizes the prices. The scheme also reduces the wastage and spoilage of food grains and promotes the efficient use of resources.

Conclusion

The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is a scheme that aims to end hunger in India by providing highly subsidised food grains to the poorest of the poor. The scheme covers 2.5 crore (25 million) households and provides them 35 kg of food grains per month at a nominal rate. The scheme is implemented by the central and state governments through the public distribution system. The scheme has several benefits for the poor and the society, such as food security, health, empowerment, and economic stability. The scheme is a step in the direction of making India a hunger-free and prosperous nation.

FAQs

Here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme, along with their answers:

What is the meaning of Antyodaya?

Antyodaya means “upliftment of the poorest”. The term was coined by Mahatma Gandhi, who envisioned a society where the poorest and the weakest are taken care of.

Who is eligible for the AAY scheme?

The AAY scheme covers the poorest of the poor households from among the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families covered under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). The eligibility criteria for the AAY scheme are decided by the state governments based on various parameters such as income, occupation, landholding, social status, etc. The state governments conduct surveys to identify and update the list of eligible households periodically.

How to get an Antyodaya Ration Card?

To get an Antyodaya Ration Card, a household has to apply to the concerned authority in their area, such as the gram panchayat, the block development officer, or the district collector. The household has to submit the required documents, such as proof of identity, proof of residence, proof of income, etc. The authority will verify the documents and issue an Antyodaya Ration Card to the eligible household. The card is valid for a period of five years and can be renewed after verification.

How to avail the benefits of the AAY scheme?

To avail the benefits of the AAY scheme, the Antyodaya Ration Card holders have to visit the nearest fair price shop in their area. They have to present their card and pay the required amount to get the food grains. The AAY scheme provides 35 kg of food grains per month to each eligible household at a highly subsidised rate of Rs. 2 per kg for wheat and Rs. 3 per kg for rice and Re. 1 for coarse grains. The cost of transportation, distribution, and dealer’s margin is borne by the state governments.

How to check the balance and status of the AAY scheme?

The Antyodaya Ration Card holders can check the balance and status of the AAY scheme online or offline. Online, they can visit the official website of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution or the respective state government websites and enter their card number and other details to access their account. Offline, they can visit the fair price shop or the ration office and ask for their balance and status.

What are the benefits of the AAY scheme?

The AAY scheme has several benefits for the poor and the society. Some of the benefits are:

• The AAY scheme provides food security to the poorest of the poor, who otherwise may not have access to adequate food. The scheme helps them to meet their basic nutritional requirements and to improve their health and well-being.
• The AAY scheme reduces the vulnerability of the poor to hunger and famine, especially during natural disasters, droughts, floods, etc. The scheme acts as a safety net and a coping mechanism for the poor in times of crisis.
• The AAY scheme empowers the poor and gives them a sense of dignity and self-respect. The scheme enables them to participate in the economic and social activities of the society and to contribute to the national development.
• The AAY scheme also has positive spillover effects on the economy and the environment. The scheme reduces the demand for food grains in the open market and stabilizes the prices. The scheme also reduces the wastage and spoilage of food grains and promotes the efficient use of resources.

What are the challenges and limitations of the AAY scheme?

The AAY scheme, despite its benefits, also faces some challenges and limitations. Some of them are:

• The AAY scheme depends on the accuracy and reliability of the identification and targeting of the beneficiaries. However, there are often errors of inclusion and exclusion, which means that some deserving households are left out while some undeserving households are included. This leads to leakage and diversion of the food grains and reduces the effectiveness of the scheme.
• The AAY scheme also depends on the availability and quality of the food grains. However, there are often issues of procurement, storage, and distribution of the food grains, which affect the quantity and quality of the food grains supplied to the beneficiaries. There are also cases of adulteration, pilferage, and corruption in the supply chain, which compromise the safety and hygiene of the food grains.
• The AAY scheme also depends on the awareness and participation of the beneficiaries. However, there are often gaps in the information and communication of the scheme, which affect the awareness and access of the beneficiaries. There are also issues of stigma and discrimination associated with the scheme, which affect the participation and empowerment of the beneficiaries.

How to improve the AAY scheme?

The AAY scheme can be improved by addressing the challenges and limitations mentioned above. Some of the suggestions and recommendations for improvement are:

• The AAY scheme can be improved by using more transparent and objective criteria for identifying and targeting the beneficiaries. The scheme can also use biometric authentication and Aadhaar linkage to verify the identity and eligibility of the beneficiaries and to prevent duplication and fraud.
• The AAY scheme can be improved by ensuring the adequate and timely procurement, storage, and distribution of the food grains. The scheme can also use technology and innovation to monitor and track the movement and quality of the food grains and to prevent wastage and pilferage. The scheme can also involve the local communities and civil society organizations to oversee and audit the supply chain and to ensure accountability and transparency.
• The AAY scheme can be improved by enhancing the awareness and participation of the beneficiaries. The scheme can use various media and platforms to disseminate the information and benefits of the scheme and to address the myths and misconceptions about the scheme. The scheme can also encourage the feedback and grievance redressal of the beneficiaries and to address their issues and concerns. The scheme can also promote the dignity and self-reliance of the beneficiaries and to reduce the dependency and stigma associated with the scheme.

What are the other schemes related to the AAY scheme?

The AAY scheme is one of the schemes under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, which aims to provide legal entitlement to food to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population in India. The other schemes under the NFSA are:

• The Priority Households (PHH) scheme, which covers the remaining BPL households not covered under the AAY scheme. The PHH scheme provides 5 kg of food grains per person per month at a subsidised rate of Rs. 3 per kg for rice, Rs. 2 per kg for wheat, and Re. 1 per kg for coarse grains.
• The Annapurna scheme, which covers the senior citizens who are not covered under the AAY scheme or the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS). The Annapurna scheme provides 10 kg of food grains per month free of cost to the eligible senior citizens.
• The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, which covers the children studying in classes I to VIII in government and government-aided schools. The MDM scheme provides cooked meals to the children on school days, containing at least 450 calories and 12 grams of protein for primary classes and 700 calories and 20 grams of protein for upper primary classes.
• The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, which covers the children below six years of age, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. The ICDS scheme provides supplementary nutrition, health care, and pre-school education to the beneficiaries through anganwadi centres.
• The Maternity Benefit Programme (MBP), which covers the pregnant women and lactating mothers. The MBP scheme provides a cash incentive of Rs. 6000 in three instalments to the beneficiaries, subject to certain conditions.

How to contact the AAY scheme authorities?

The AAY scheme authorities can be contacted through various channels, such as phone, email, website, or post. The contact details of the central and state authorities are given below:

Central Authority: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India

• Phone: 1800-11-4000 (Toll Free) or 011-27006500
• Email: secyfca@nic.in
• Website: https://dfpd.gov.in/
• Address: Krishi Bhawan, Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi – 110001

State Authorities: Department of Food and Civil Supplies, Government of the respective state or union territory

• Phone: The phone numbers of the state authorities can be found on the website of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution or the respective state government websites.
• Email: The email addresses of the state authorities can be found on the website of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution or the respective state government websites.
• Website: The website links of the state authorities can be found on the website of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution or the respective state

How has been the impact of AAY on poverty reduction in India?

The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is a scheme that provides highly subsidised food grains to the poorest of the poor households in India. The scheme aims to ensure food security and to create a hunger-free India. The impact of the AAY on poverty reduction in India can be assessed from different perspectives, such as:

The impact of the AAY on the poverty headcount rate, which measures the proportion of people living below the poverty line. According to the World Bank, the poverty headcount rate in India declined from 37.2% in 2004/05 to 21.2% in 2011/12, which means that about 160 million people were lifted out of poverty in this period1 The AAY, as one of the schemes under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, contributed to this decline by providing food grains to 25 million poorest of the poor households, which is about 12% of the total population in the country.

The impact of the AAY on the multidimensional poverty index (MPI), which measures the multiple deprivations that people face in terms of health, education, and living standards. According to the United Nations Development Programme and the University of Oxford, the MPI in India fell from 0.283 in 2005/06 to 0.123 in 2015/16, which means that the intensity and incidence of multidimensional poverty reduced significantly in this period, The AAY, as one of the schemes that provides nutrition, sanitation, housing, and cooking fuel to the poor, contributed to this reduction by addressing some of the dimensions of poverty and improving the well-being of the beneficiaries.

The impact of the AAY on the inclusive growth index (IGI), which measures the extent to which economic growth is shared across the income distribution. According to the International Monetary Fund, the IGI in India increased from 0.45 in 2004/05 to 0.51 in 2009/10, which means that the economic growth in this period was more inclusive and pro-poor than before. The AAY, as one of the schemes that empowers the poor and enables them to participate in the economic and social activities of the society, contributed to this increase by enhancing the human capital and productivity of the beneficiaries.

Which state launched meals program under antyodaya yojana?

According to the web search results, the state of Kerala launched a meals program under the antyodaya yojana in 2017. The program, called ‘Hunger-Free Kerala’, aimed to provide free or subsidized meals to the poor and needy people through community kitchens, anganwadis, and other institutions. The program was implemented by the Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission (Kudumbashree) in collaboration with the local self-government bodies.

When was antyodaya anna yojana launched?

The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India on 25 December 2000. The scheme was developed by the then Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister, N Sri Vishnu. It was first implemented in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The scheme provides highly subsidised food grains to the poorest of the poor households in the country.

When was antyodaya anna yojana launched in rajasthan rashan card?

The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in Rajasthan on 25 December 2000, along with the rest of the country. The scheme provides 35 kg of food grains per month to each eligible household at a highly subsidised rate of Rs. 2 per kg for wheat and Rs. 3 per kg for rice and Re. 1 for coarse grains. The beneficiaries of the scheme are given a unique Antyodaya Ration Card, which is also called the PDS yellow card. The card acts as a form of identification and entitlement for the scheme.

When was deendayal antyodaya yojana nrlm launched?

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India in June 2011 as a restructured version of the Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY). The scheme was renamed as DAY-NRLM in November 2015. The scheme aims at creating efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor enabling them to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services.

What is the Kerala meals program under antyodaya yojana?

The Kerala meals program under antyodaya yojana is a scheme that aims to provide free or subsidized meals to the poor and needy people in the state. The scheme was launched in 2017 by the Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission (Kudumbashree) in collaboration with the local self-government bodies.

Some of the features of the scheme are:

• The scheme covers various categories of people, such as the homeless, the destitute, the migrant workers, the elderly, the children, the pregnant women, and the lactating mothers.
• The scheme provides cooked meals to the beneficiaries through community kitchens, anganwadis, schools, colleges, hospitals, and other institutions. The meals include rice, sambar, vegetables, and eggs.
• The scheme also provides dry ration kits to the beneficiaries during festivals and emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The kits contain rice, wheat, pulses, oil, sugar, salt, and spices.
• The scheme is funded by the state government, the local self-government bodies, and the donations from the public and private sectors. The scheme also generates income and employment for the women who run the community kitchens.
• The scheme is monitored and evaluated by the Kudumbashree, the local self-government bodies, and the civil society organizations. The scheme also uses technology and innovation to ensure the quality and transparency of the food and services.
• The Kerala meals program under antyodaya yojana is a scheme that has several benefits for the poor and the society. Some of the benefits are:
• The scheme provides food security and nutrition to the poor and the needy, who otherwise may not have access to adequate food. The scheme helps them to improve their health and well-being.
• The scheme reduces the vulnerability of the poor to hunger and malnutrition, especially during natural disasters, pandemics, lockdowns, etc

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