Gearing up to launch the food security scheme in the Capital on August 20 — birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi — the Delhi Cabinet has given in-principal approval in implementing the scheme. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and her Cabinet Ministers will announce the scheme at a Press conference on Friday.
A Cabinet note proposes to set up a State food commission for execution.
According to the Cabinet note, bridging the gap between issue price of foodgrain and new rates, according to the Ordinance, from State resources, pending issue of necessary instruction from the Centre, the fund available under Delhi Annashree Yojna will be utilised. Implementation will require Rs 5.71 crore per month.
Benefits will come from September 1. It is expected that the nitty-gritty will be made public at a Press conference at the Secretariat.
Under the scheme, every kg of rice will be supplied at Rs 3, while wheat and coarse cereals will be given at Rs 2 and Rs 1 per kg, respectively.
Considering the potential of the populist measure in the Assembly elections slated for November in the city, Dikshit had, earlier this month, announced that Delhi will be the first State in the country to launch the scheme, dubbed a 'game-changer' by Congress for the lok Sabha polls next year.
The Government plans to benefit to 5.10 lakh families in the first phase of the scheme and the entitled foodgrain will be given to the beneficiary families through their senior-most female members.
The Delhi Government has also decided to include homeless people, daily wage-earners, rag-pickers, those living in resettlement colonies and slum clusters in Phase I of the scheme.