New Ration Norms for Poorest Families
The central government has proposed a significant change in the distribution of subsidized foodgrain under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), shifting from a flat per-family entitlement to a per-person allocation. Under the new proposal, each eligible individual in an AAY household would receive 7 kilograms of foodgrain per month, with a maximum cap of 35 kilograms per family.
Current System vs. Proposed Change
Currently, the National Food Security Act (NFSA) mandates a flat 35 kg of foodgrain per month for every AAY household, regardless of the number of family members. This system has been criticized for not accounting for household size, leading to inequitable distribution. The proposed per-person model aims to address this disparity by ensuring that larger households receive more rations, up to the cap, while smaller families are not over-allocated.
According to a government official, the change is intended to better target the poorest of the poor, as AAY households are designated as the most vulnerable. The proposal is part of broader reforms to the public distribution system (PDS) to improve efficiency and reduce leakage.
Impact on Households
For a family of four, the new system would provide 28 kg per month (4 persons × 7 kg), which is less than the current 35 kg. However, a family of six would receive 35 kg (capped), the same as before. The cap ensures that no family gets more than the current entitlement, preventing any increase in overall subsidy costs.
Critics argue that the cap at 35 kg may still disadvantage larger families, as a household with eight members would receive only 35 kg instead of 56 kg under a pure per-person model. However, the government maintains that the cap is necessary to contain fiscal expenditure.
Implementation Timeline
The proposal is currently in the consultation stage, with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution seeking feedback from state governments and stakeholders. If approved, the new norms could be implemented within the next fiscal year, requiring amendments to the NFSA or related guidelines.
AAY, launched in 2000, provides highly subsidized foodgrain at Rs. 2 per kg for wheat and Rs. 3 per kg for rice to the poorest families identified by state governments. The scheme covers approximately 2.5 crore households across India.
