The Indian Government has been instrumental in addressing the nation's poverty with effective policies and schemes. In this context, Antyodaya Anna Yojana was introduced to reduce hunger among India's Below Poverty Line (BPL) population. Launched in December 2000, the AAY scheme targeted more than 1 crore low-income families in India.

Are you wondering about the objectives and benefits of this scheme?

This article will give you a detailed account of the same!

One can trace the origin of Antyodaya Anna Yojana to the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) formation in 1997. The Government of India resorted to focusing on the poverty-stricken population by introducing TPDS. On 25th December 2000, the NDA Government first implemented the Antyodaya Anna Yojana in Rajasthan, India.

Using the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme, low-income families can purchase food items at a highly subsidised cost. It identified poor people by conducting surveys in respective rural development facilities across India. As a result, these families could purchase rice at about ₹3 per kg, wheat at ₹2 per kg, and other coarse grains at ₹1 per kg.

The States/UTs undertook distribution and transportation costs of food items. The scale of the issue was initially 25 kg per family, which later increased to 35 kg.  In 2003-2004, the Indian Government added 50 lakhs of new BPL families to the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme, covering about 23% of the entire BPL population.

The Antyodaya Anna Yojana was introduced to strengthen TPDS and make it more beneficial for Indian citizens. 

Its primary objectives include:

• Development of food security for the BPL population of India
• Creation of a hunger-free environment in most poverty-stricken areas
• Popularisation and strengthening of TPDS
• Subsidised prices for basic food grains 
• Payment for the distribution and transportation costs of the food grains from government funds

Some standard information about Antyodaya Anna Yojana shows its efforts to help low-income families get at least a one-time meal at a subsidised cost. However, analysing its general features will be helpful to understand this concept in-depth.

Subsidised Food Costs

The PM Antyodaya Anna Yojana provides food and other commodities to all beneficiaries at subsidised pricing. Apart from rice and wheat, AAY families received 1 kg of sugar for ₹18.50 per kg via ration shops.

Special Ration Cards

The officials selected beneficiaries in the AAY scheme with surveys. After identifying the eligible AAY families, government officials provided them with a ration card. These cards differ based on states and regions. For instance, AAY eligible people in Kerala receive a yellow ration card, with which they can avail the scheme's benefits.

Allocation Limits

The Government had initially set a limit to the quantity of food grains allocation. While the AAY families could previously avail of up to 25 kg grains, it was later increased to 35 kg per family. The authorities roughly allocate around 8.51 lakh tons of food grains every month for meeting some basic requirements of Antyodaya Anna Yojana.

The Indian Government has focused on addressing the hunger-related necessities of the poverty-stricken population by introducing Antyodaya Anna Yojana. Families eligible for this scheme can enjoy its benefits. Some of these benefits are as follows. 

• People without a steady income can earn proper meals.
• Unemployed, old and physically disabled people can gain food security.
• Primary food grains are available at a subsidised price.
• Every family under the AAY scheme can avail of up to 35 kg worth of food grains every month.

A beneficiary of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is an individual or family from the poorest segments of society who are eligible for subsidised food grains. Under this scheme, eligible households receive a higher quantity of food grains at very low prices compared to other welfare programs. 

Rural Areas

• Families with an annual income up to ₹15,000 are eligible.
• Old age pensioners.
• Small and marginal farmers.
• Landless agricultural labourers.
• Physically handicapped individuals.
• Destitute widows.
• Rural artisans and craftsmen, including potters, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters, and slum dwellers.

Urban Areas

• Families with an annual income below ₹15,000.
• Residents of slums.
• Daily wage workers such as rickshaw pullers and porters.
• Fruit and flower sellers on pavements.
• Domestic servants.
• Construction workers.
• Households led by widows, disabled persons, or individuals aged 60 or more without reliable support.
• Snake charmers, rag pickers, and cobblers.

These beneficiaries are provided with subsidised food grains to improve their food security and overall well-being.

Some specific eligibility criteria were set while planning Antyodaya Anna Yojana. This helped them ensure that the food grains reach only such citizens who are in dire need of them.

Professions

Primary professions eligible for this scheme include households from both urban and rural areas. These can consist of agricultural labourers without land, rural artisans, craftsmen, weavers, carpenters, potters, tanners, blacksmiths and marginal farmers. Daily wage earners include rag pickers, snake charmers, coolies, rickshaw pullers, hand-cart pullers, cobblers, etc.

Age and Illness

If the family heads are terminally ill or physically disabled, the Indian Government considers certain families as AAY families. It can also include people aged more than 60 years or widows without any assured societal support.

Specific People

The AAY scheme will apply to people without a proper family. For example, if an individual is terminally ill, physically disabled, more than 60 years of age or widowed without social support, they will be considered under this scheme.

Region-specific Families and Income Range

All tribal households can be eligible for this scheme. However, anyone applying for utilising its benefits should be a part of the BPL population. Moreover, their family income should not exceed Rs. 15,000 annually.

If you wish to apply for the AAY scheme online, follow the steps mentioned below. 

• Step 1: Visit the site of your state government’s Food and Supplies Department.

• Step 2:  Click on the link to the Antyodaya Anna Yojana application form.
• Step 3: In the requested spaces, enter all mandatory details such as your name, address, Aadhaar number, and bank account details.
• Step 4: Attach obligatory documents like proof of ID, residential proofs and bank statements for verification.
• Step 5: Submit the completed application form.

You should follow these steps when applying for Antyodaya Anna Yojana benefits for you and your family members.

A beneficiary of a rural area will have to visit the Urban Development Department for applying to this scheme. State Government or UT administrations will then conduct their research to identify the poor families under the BPL population and distribute information to the Panchayat and Municipality.

The Office of Revenue prepares a tentative list of eligible families, and a meeting in the Gram Sabha will inform them about their approval. In urban areas, the Chief Executives of urban local bodies are responsible for identifying the appropriate beneficiaries. Then, designated authorities issue an AAY card after identifying them, and families can avail ration using the cards.

Alternatively, you can go to the nearest Common Service Center (CSC). Ask the CSC operator to apply for AAY and provide the necessary details, such as name, address, and Aadhaar number. Pay any application fee if needed and the operator will fill out the form and attach the necessary documents. Once through with this step then give them back by submitting them at your nearby Foods and Supply Offices.