Antyodaya Anna Yojana

Launched in December 2000, ‘Antyodaya Anna Yojana’ is a Government Scheme basically aimed to ensure food security amongst the poorest of the poor in India.

The current article provides a short briefing on ‘Antyodaya Anna Yojana’ and explains the features; eligibility conditions and documents required for applying under ‘Antyodaya Anna Yojana’.

Short briefing of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana-

The following table provides a short briefing of the Scheme-

Particulars	Details
Name of the Scheme	Antyodaya Anna Yojana
Year of Launching	2000
Authority managing the Scheme	Food Ministry of India
Category of persons benefitted under the Scheme	Poorest of the poor of India
Benefits available under the Scheme	35 Kg Wheat is available at INR 3 per Kg. 35 Kg Rice is available at INR 2 per Kg.
The targeted number of beneficiaries	More than 25 million poorest of the poor families of India

Features of Antyodaya Anna Yojana-

The salient features of ‘Antyodaya Anna Yojana’ are highlighted hereunder-

1. The subsidized cost of food grains-

The beneficiary, under the Scheme, will be provided food grains and other daily need commodities at subsidized rates. Notably, the distribution of such food grains will be carried out via Public Distribution System.

The beneficiaries can get Wheat at INR 3 per kg and Rice at INR 2 per kg. Further, the beneficiary families are entitled to get 35 kg of food grains per month.

2. Ration cards-

Once the family is recognized as eligible/ beneficiary under the Scheme, they will be given a unique ‘Antodaya Ration Card’ (popularly known as ‘Ration Card’). Notably, the color of the Ration Card issued under the Scheme will be different from the normal one.

3. Various costs to be borne by States/ UTs-

Costs of distribution; transportation; dealers margin etc. will be borne by the States/ UTs under the Scheme.

Eligibility conditions under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana-

As stated above the benefit under the Scheme is made available to only the poorest of the poor people of India, accordingly following are the eligibility criteria for availing of the benefits under the Scheme-

1. Following categories of persons situated in both rural areas as well as urban areas-

a. Daily wage earners working in informal sectors like rag pickers; cobblers; snake charmers; coolies; rickshaw pullers; porters; fruit/ flower sellers; hand cart pullers etc.

b. Agricultural labourers who doesn’t have any land;

c. Marginal farmers;

d. Rural artisans/ craftsmen like carpenters; potters; weavers; blacksmiths; slum dwellers; etc.

2. Household that is headed by a disabled person or terminally ill person or person above 60 years of age or widows who doesn’t have an assured means of subsistence/ societal support.

3. Any person being single woman or single man or disabled person or widows or terminally ill or person above 60 years of age who doesn’t have any family or assured means or subsistence or societal support.

4. Family having an annual income of less than INR 15,000.

5. Tribal people living below the poverty line.

Notably, all the eligible beneficiaries in the rural areas should visit Gram Sabha for applying under the Scheme. Whereas, the eligible beneficiary in the urban areas should visit Urban Development Department for applying under the Scheme.

Documents required under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana-

Following is the list of documents that are required for availing benefits under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana –

1. BPL (Below Poverty Line) Certificate;

2. Income Certificate; and

3. Deletion certificate/ affidavit stating that the applicant doesn’t hold any of the ration card previously.