What do you mean by Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)? Write a note on it.
(i) Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in December 2000. Under the scheme one crore of the poorest and the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families covered under the targeted public distribution system were identified.
(ii) Twenty-five kilograms of foodgrains were made available to each eligible family at a highly subsidised rate of r 2 per kg for wheat and t 3 per kg for rice.
(iii) This quantity was further increased from 25 to 35 kgs from April 2002.
(iv) The Scheme has been further expanded twice by additional 50 lakh BPL family in June 2003 and in August 2004. With this increase 2 crore families have been covered under the AAY.