Hooda to launch Food Security scheme in Haryana on Aug 20

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will launch the ambitious Food Security scheme in the state from Panipat on August 20, on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi`s birth anniversary. The scheme would simultaneously be launched by the incharge ministers of districts at the district level, a spokesman of the state food and supplies department said.

Coverage of population in the state under the scheme would be 90.28 lakh, out of which, 54.61 per cent are in rural areas and 36.21 lakh are in urban areas, he said. In the first phase, which would to be launched on August 20, beneficiaries of Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Central Below Poverty Line (CBPL) and State Below Poverty Line (SBPL) would be covered, he said. AAY beneficiaries would get 35 kg foodgrain per month per card at the rate of Rs 2 per kg whereas priority households would be given five kg foodgrain per person per month at the rate of Rs 2 per kg, he said, adding that families under Central Below Poverty Line (CBPL) and State Below Poverty Line (SBPL) will also considered for the scheme. At present there are 12,84,580 AAY, Central Below Poverty Line (CBPL) and State Below Poverty Line (SBPL) beneficiaries in the state, the spokesman said. A total of 58.57 lakh people are currently covered under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) who are provided foodgrain at subsidised rates. With the launch of the new food security scheme, 126.49 lakh people of the state would now be covered, he said. A list of provisional Priority Households will be displayed in all village and municipal wards, he said, adding that foodgrain would be distributed from these shops. PTI