Govt to speed up implementation of Dilli Anna Shri Yojna

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Monday decided to speed up implementation of a major food subsidy programme under which it aims to provide monthly cash subsidy of Rs 600 through direct cash transfer to the senior-most female member of two lakh poor families.

The Dilli Anna Shri Yojna, claimed to be first-of-its-kind food programme in the country, was launched on December 15 last year by Congress president Sonia Gandhi and so far the city government has included only 13,640 families under it. A meeting of the Delhi Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, reviewed implementation of the scheme and decided to speed up identification of the beneficiaries. The Delhi government has tied up with five leading banks for implementation of the scheme and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts are being opened in a total of 827 bank branches across the city. Last week, Dikshit had expressed dissatisfaction over implementation of the Dilli Anna Shri Yojna saying large number of families are yet to get the benefit. The scheme is meant for two lakh poor families who are not getting subsidised food under either BPL scheme or Antyodaya Anna Yojana. PTI