Pink ration cards under Antyodaya scheme launched by Delhi Govt

New Delhi, Aug 31 (UNI) The Delhi government today launched a scheme to distribute pink ration cards under the Antyodaya Anna Yojna(AAY) for 1.5 lakh poorest of the poor families.

A Government statement said Delhi has probably become first state to implement the AAY.

It said the distribution would be completed within two-three months which would help in overcoming starvation in the capital.

The scheme was today inaugurated by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at a function here.

Food and Supplies Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan, Health Minister Dr Yoganand Shastri, a number of MLAs and councillors, large number of representatives of poor families from various parts of Delhi were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Dikshit said aged persons, widows and handicapped persons would also be included under the AAY. She said the government would provide sufficient quantity of wheat, rice, sugar, pulses and kerosene oil through Fair Price Shop under the programme which would help in curbing black marketing of PDS items.

''This would also go a long way in making life of poor families easy as they would be able to get essential commodities on cheapest rates,'' she added.

The entitled families would be provided 25 kg wheat at Rs.2 per kg in place of earlier rate Rs 4.65, 10 kg rice at Rs 3 per kg instead of 6.15 earlier rate, 6 kg sugar at Rs 13.50, 2 kg Chana Daal at Rs 26.38, 2 kg Arhar Daal at Rs 22.74 and 22 litre keresone oil at Rs 9.09.

This would restrict monthly expenses of kitchen to Rs 458 only.

Ms Dikshit described this as a new beginning of welfare of the poorest of poor families.

She stated that 35 per cent poorest of the poor families had been identified out of BPL families and are being issued Pink Cards which would enable them to derive benefit of cheapest essential items.

She also said her Government was considering issue of ration cards to those families which are not in need of PDS items but are eager to have it as an identification document.

UNI