Antyodaya Anna Yojana [AAY]

Antyodaya Anna Yojana is a scheme launched by the Government of India to provide food subsidies for poor people. For this welfare scheme, the government has targeted the public below the poverty line, intending to eliminate their hunger by providing them with highly subsidized food. Antyodaya Anna Yojana was developed by the then-Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister, N Sri Vishnu.

Through the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, the government provides poor families with an opportunity to purchase up to 35 kgs of wheat and rice and wheat at a highly subsidized cost. Learn more about this welfare scheme, its features and benefits, and how it is implemented here.

What is Antyodya Anna Yojana?

The Antyodaya Anna Yojana was first implemented in Rajasthan and launched on 25th December 2000 by the NDA government. This advantageous scheme covers the poorest of the low-income families within the States of India and offers them foodstuffs at highly subsidized rates.

To avail of the advantages of this scheme, one should have to fulfil the eligibility. Once the identification of the beneficiaries is accomplished, and they become eligible, the authority provides them with a Ration Card so they can obtain food grain.

AAY Card

Antyodaya Anna Yojana has covered up to 2.5 crore households and aims to eliminate the hunger of the poorest of poor Indian families. However, the UTs or States must bear the cost of food grain distribution to offer the beneficiaries the highly subsidized rate of food grains.

Every person who is eligible for the Antyodaya Anna Yojana is issued an AAY card through which they can obtain food at subsidized rates. Without this ration card, the person would not be able to apply for the subsidies. To get this card, the person will have to follow an application process and will be required to submit certain documents.

Document Requirements for Antyodaya Anna Yojana

An eligible beneficiary in the urban region needs to approach the Urban Development Department for the application of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana. In the case of a rural region beneficiary, the applicant needs to visit Gram Sabha to apply. The following are the required document for the application -

• Income Certificate of the head of the family
• BPL Certificate
• Affidavit to confirm that the beneficiary does not hold any previous Ration Card

Antyodaya Anna Yojana Features

Antyodaya Anna Yojana was launched with the aim of making India hunger-free. Every BPL family has their AAY Card (Antyodaya Anna Yojana Card) to get their food. This card is a means of identification that includes the details of the family members.

Here are some of the features of the AAY scheme:

• Reducing Hunger - The primary motive of this scheme is to provide every low-income family in India with food grains at highly subsidized prices to eliminate hunger.
• Issuing of Food - Every BPL family with a Ration Card is eligible to obtain their food grains without any restriction with Antyodaya Anna Yojana. The monthly issue of food grains is approximately 8.51 lakhs tones.
• Highly Subsidized Food Grains - The cost of the food grains is at highly subsidized prices of ₹2/- wheat per kilogram and ₹3/- rice per kilogram and other essential commodities. However, the amount of food grain issued is 35kg per family per month.

Who can Avail of the Benefits of Antyodaya Anna Yojana?

Only those who are officially recognized as economically below the poverty line are eligible for the Antyodaya Anna Yojana. Those seeking to avail of the benefits of the scheme must have BPL proof. Here, we have shared the eligibility criteria for Antyodaya Anna Yojana.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana Eligibility Criteria

Every BPL family has to fulfil the eligibility of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana to obtain the benefits of this scheme. The eligibility criteria for this scheme are as follows:

• Every family member must be identified as below the poverty line to avail of the benefits of Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
• Families with an annual income of up to 15,000 are eligible to apply for this scheme.
• All primitive tribal communities in mountain and rural areas can avail of the help of this scheme.
• An old-age pensioner of 60 years who looks after their family is eligible for the AAY scheme.
• A destitute widow is suitable for this scheme.
• A physically or mentally abnormal person can also apply for Antyodaya Anna Yojana.

FAQs on Antyodaya Anna Yojana

Q1. What is Antyodaya Anna Yojana?

Antyodaya Anna Yojana is a welfare scheme for the poor that offers food items at highly subsidized rates. This scheme is only eligible for the public below the poverty line. Through AAY, the government aims to eliminate hunger by providing highly subsidized food to the poor.

Q2. What is the full form of AAY?

AAY full form is Antyodaya Anna Yojana. This scheme was launched by the government of India on 25th December 2000 in Rajasthan. Antyodaya Anna Yojana provides food items at a highly subsidized rate to the poorest of the poor citizens of India.

Q3. Who developed the Antyodaya Anna Yojana?

Antyodaya Anna Yojana was developed by the former Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister, N Sri Vishnu, under the NDA government. He targeted the poorest of the poor section of society to provide them with food items at a highly subsidized rate.

Q4. Where was the Antyodaya Anna Yojana first launched?

Antyodaya Anna Yojana was first launched in Rajasthan on 25th December 2000 by the NDA government. This welfare scheme offered the poorest section of society with food at a highly subsidized rate.

Q5. Who is eligible to avail of the benefits of Antyodaya Anna Yojana?

Every family member identified under BPL (below the poverty line) is eligible to avail of the benefits of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana. Antyodaya Anna Yojana aims to reduce the hunger of poor people and make India hunger-free.