IAS & KAS Aspirants of Karnataka.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana Introduction AAY was a step in the direction of making TPDS aim at reducing hunger among the poorest segments of the BPL population. A National Sample Survey Exercise pointed towards the fact that about 5% of the total population in the country sleeps without two square meals a day. This section of the population could be called "hungry." In order to make TPDS more focused and targeted towards this category of population, the "Antyodaya Anna Yojana" (AAY) was launched in December 2000 for one crore poorest of the poor families. Features of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana AAY first had to identify one crore poorest of the poor families from amongst the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families covered under the TPDS within the states. Provide them grains at a highly subsidized rate of Rs. 2 per kg for wheat and Rs. 3 per kg for rice and Re. 1 for coarse grains. All costs related to distribution, transportation, and also margins of dealers had to be borne by States/UTs. The chosen households are entitled to 35kg of food grains per month. The number of poor households has since increased to 2.5 crores and also includes households headed by terminally ill or widows or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years and above with no means of subsistence. Eligibility Criteria for Antyodaya Anna Yojana To identify the households that are eligible for the benefits of the scheme, the guidelines stipulated the following criteria: Agriculture labourers without lands, marginal farmers, rural artisans or craftsmen, like weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters, potters, tanners, slum dwellers, and daily wage earners in the informal sector like cobblers, rag pickers, snake charmers, porters, coolies, rickshaw pullers, hand cart pullers, fruit and flower sellers, destitute and other similar types in both rural and urban areas. Households that are headed by terminally ill persons/disabled persons/persons aged 60 years or more or widows with no assured means of subsistence or societal support. 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. Tribal households which are primitive. The states identify the poorest of the poor households and ration cards are given to them to ensure the advantages of the scheme reach the right people.