New Delhi, Aug 01: There have been no specific instance of misutilisation of foodgrains allotted under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Food and Public Distribution Minister Sharad Yadav told the Lok Sabha today. The offtake under the AAY in 2002-03 was about 85.6 per cent of the allocation made to different states and union territories, he said during Question Hour. Describing the scheme as "very successful", he said in accordance with the announcement made by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, government had expanded the AAY coverage net which now accounts for 24 per cent of people living below poverty line.
While the foodgrains are allotted under the AAY based on the parameters laid down by the planning commission, the recommendations for the same come from the rural development ministry, Yadav said. The total allocation in 2001-02 was over 19.6 lakh tonnes which was raised to over 41.2 lakh tonnes the next year, he added. Bureau Report