What is Antyodaya Anna Yojana

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is one of the biggest initiatives undertaken by the Government of India. It is a public distribution system scheme that was implemented in India in 2000. The main purpose of the system is to provide food security to the people and to end hunger in India.

It covers the poorest of the poor in our country through the supply of food and essential commodities for their daily needs at subsidized rates. It was implemented first in the Rajasthan State. AAY was developed by the then Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister, N Sri Vishnu. Those who are undertaking the UPSC exam should study this topic in detail.

Candidates can visit the linked article and get the detailed list of government schemes in India, important for general awareness and current affairs section of various competitive exams.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Its Importance

Cost Of Food Grains: All the poor, or beneficiaries-as we call them- get food and other commodities under the AAY scheme. This is done at subsidized rates. The distribution also takes place through a public distribution system. As per this initiative, wheat is provided at Rs.3 per Kg, Rice for Rs.2 per Kg. All eligible families will get 35 Kg of rice every month. Families which come under this section can buy 1 kg of sugar at a rate of Rs.18.50 per Kg through ration shops.

Ration Cards Specialization: The beneficiaries of the AAY are identified by the Central and State Government of India. Once the identification is done, different coloured ration cards will be given to AAY families. A yellow card is given for AAY families in Kerala while Telangana has a Pink ration card which is used by AAY beneficiaries. First, the family is identified as eligible and then they are given a unique “Antyodaya Ration Card”. The other name for this card is PDS(public distribution card) which means yellow card. Write this down in your UPSC notes.

Food Grains Allocation: The allocation of food grains is done on a monthly basis in Antyodaya Anna Yojana which is around 8.51 lakh tonnes per month.

Given below are a few other related links for reference of IAS aspirants:

Target Section Of Society and Antyodaya Anna Yojana Eligibility

The main intended beneficiaries of AAY are the persons who are terminally ill or widows or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years or more or single women or single men with no family or societal support or assured means of subsistence. Landless labourers into agriculture, rural people who are into arts and marginal farmers are also part of this project. Rural artisans are craftsmen such as potters, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters and slum dwellers.

Also, a household with widows or patients who are terminally ill who are the heads of their families is also eligible. Terminally ill patients or widows who are living alone are also eligible. Tribal people and HIV positive persons who are below the poverty line are eligible for this programme. The eligible people should not have assured means of subsistence or societal support. Families with an annual income of less than Rs.15000 are eligible for this plan too.

Aspirants can also read about Food Security in India at the linked article.

Documents Required for the AAY:

Below is the list of documents that are required to apply for this scheme:

1. BPL certificate
2. Income Certificate
3. Deletion certificate or an Affidavit which says that the beneficiary doesn’t have any ration card in the previous years.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana UPSC

The Indian Government has made immense efforts in making the scheme a huge success. It has benefited a lot of people who have been struggling to get a daily life. Aspirants who are preparing for various exams right now, must cover this topic to score full marks in the Current Affairs section.

For the best preparation tips, study material and the latest exam updates, candidates can turn to BYJU’S for expert assistance.