Around 50 per cent out of total 1,133,865 new ration cards have been distributed among intended beneficiaries of the National Food Security Scheme in the State, said additional secretary (Food and Civil Supply) Ravinath Raman while talking to The Pioneer on Friday. Moreover, the State Government has demanded 33, 545 metric tonnes of food grains (rice and wheat) from the Central Government to implement the scheme effectively, he added.
"The district officers have been directed to complete the task of making new ration cards and distribute these among the beneficiaries soon so that this scheme can be implemented from July 1," he added.A total of 8,21,796 persons who procured ration card from the department under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) will be covered under National Food Security Scheme. Once this scheme comes into effect, the intended beneficiaries in various parts of the state will receive food grains at highly subsidised rates.
Meanwhile, a departmental report has revealed that around 72.13 per cent of total 1,133,865 new ration cards have been made by the department officials out of which 50.57 per cent cards have been distributed among the beneficiaries so far.
In the making of new ration cards and their distribution among the beneficiaries under the scheme, mountainous districts are performing better than Haridwar and Dehradun districts.
Dehradun district has made around 67.41 per cent of total 1,81,583 new ration cards out of which only 27.68 per cent new ration cards have been distributed among the beneficiaries by May 27. In Haridwar district, 32.37 per cent of new ration cards were distributed though the department had made 76.16 per cent of total 9,89,696 new ration cards.61.33 per cent new ration cards have been distributed in Tehri, 79.63 per cent in Uttarkashi, 95 per cent in Chamoli, 56.03 per cent in Rudraprayag, 86.60 per cent in Nainital, 51.49 per cent in Almora, 66.85 per cent in Pithoragarh, 83.70 per cent in Champawat, 41 per cent In Udham Singh Nagar and 40 per cent in Bageshwar.
Under the scheme, intended beneficiaries would get five kilos of food grain comprising three kilos of rice and two kilos of wheat per person for Rsthree and Rstwo per kg respectively. Below Poverty line (BPl) and Antyodaya card holders were included in the scheme and the Above Poverty line (APl) section with a monthly income of not more than Rs15,000 will also benefit after providing them new ration card under the scheme. About 62 per cent of the State’s poor would be covered under the scheme. The rest would be covered under a similar State Government run scheme.
