Antyodaya Anna Yojana is a government-sponsored programme that was introduced by N Sri Vishnu with the idea of offering food at low prices, thus addressing the hunger of the poorest families. The scheme was introduced in the year 2000 by the Indian state of Rajasthan. Under this scheme, the families below BPL are given 35 kg of food grains each month. As per Antyodaya Anna Yojana, the families become eligible for getting food grains like rice at Rs 3 per kg and wheat at the rate of Rs 2 per kg.
What is the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Ration Card?
The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Ration Card is a new initiative by the Indian government to provide crucial food assistance to the country’s poorest and most vulnerable families. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana aims to identify and support one crore of the most economically deprived families within the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, as enlisted in each state’s Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). The initiative entails offering rice and wheat to these identified families at significantly subsidized rates.
AAY Ration Card operates under the broader framework of the National Food Security Act (NFSA). AAY Ration card is an essential card that work for a focused and inclusive approach. AAY Ration card not only provides food assistance but also helps provide better assistance to the marginalised society of the country. The cardholders receive a specific quantity of subsidized food grains per month based on family size and composition. The colours of these cards often differ from regular ration cards, making them easily identifiable.
Importance of AAY Card
The AAY card is necessary for addressing severe poverty and hunger in India. It ensures food security for the most economically class by providing highly subsidized essential grains. The ration card is mostly made for targeted people such as widows, disputed families, and persons with disabilities. AAY Card is launched to empower the marginalised society and remove poverty from the country.
Objectives of Antyodaya Anna Yojana
- Removing poverty in a country
- Amplifying the popularity and effectiveness of TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System).
- Implementing subsidized pricing strategies for staple food items.
- Advancing food security initiatives for India’s Below Poverty Line (BPL) population.
- Utilizing government funds to cover distributing and transporting food grains.
Essential Features of AAY Ration Card
- AAY ration cardholders receive essential food grains at significantly subsidized rates, ensuring access to affordable nutrition.
- The scheme prioritises the “poorest of the poor,” including destitute families, widows, homeless individuals, and households with persons with disabilities.
- The cardholders receive a specific quantity of subsidized food grains per month, determined based on family size and composition.
- AAY ration cards often have a distinct colour code, making it easier to identify and differentiate from other categories of ration cards.
Documents Required for the AAY Scheme
Essential documents needed for the AAY scheme:
- Certification proving Below Poverty Line (BPL) status
- Documentation verifying income
- A certificate of cancellation or an affidavit confirming the applicant has not possessed a ration card before
Eligibility Criteria for Antyodaya Ration Card
Those families who qualify for the following eligibility criteria will be considered for the Antyodaya Ration Card:
- A person possessing any physical or mental disability will be eligible for the AAY card.
- Citizens who have attained the age of 60 years or older can apply for the AAY card.
- Those families whose annual income is more than Rs 15,000 are eligible for the AAY.
- The family of the beneficiaries must be below the poverty line.
- This program provides support to every tribal community in rural and areas, especially those that are considered primitive.
- Applicants who belong to the widow category can apply for this scheme.
How to Apply for the Antyodaya Anna Yojana Scheme?
Follow the provided steps to submit an online application for the Antyodaya Anna Yojana:
- Step 1: Visit the official website of Antyodaya Anna Yojana and choose the option ‘Apply for a new ration card.’
- Step 2: Access the ‘State / UT food portals list.’ Select the relevant state and fill in the ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana 2024 application form’ with your details.
- Step 3: Upon completion, click the ‘Submit’ button to finalize the submission of your application.
Important Links
| Apply Link | Click Here |
| Official Website Link | Click Here |
| Telegram Link | Click Here |
| WhatsApp Link | Click Here |
