Chandigarh: Haryana is significantly ahead of its neighboring states — Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and New Delhi — in providing free ration under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other schemes implemented by the Union ministry of consumer affairs, food, and public distribution.
According to information shared by Union minister Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambahniya, Haryana has covered nearly 1.26 crore persons across the state, with 2.68 lakh families registered in the scheme through PMGHY, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and the priority schemes.
The Union minister shared the information while replying to an unstarred question raised by Congress MP from Ambala Varun Chaudhary who sought details of free ration being supplied to poor under various central govt schemes across the country. He also sought details as to till when the schemes shall continue.
While sharing the statewide details, the Union minister also informed that schemes were started on Jan 1, 2023 and Jan 1, 2024, respectively, and shall continue for the next five years. She also laid in the house complete table of distribution of scheme.
Punjab follows Haryana with 1.79 lakh families covering a population of 7.64 lakh people. Under the AAY, the govt aims to cover a total population of 1.41 crore through the scheme. Himachal Pradesh has 1.65 lakh cardholder families, which include 6.82 lakh families under the AAY scheme. The state plans to extend coverage to an additional 29.88 lakh individuals through priority schemes for the free distribution of food items. Meanwhile, New Delhi govt has the lowest number of beneficiaries. According to data, Delhi has covered only 69,000 families with a total 2.78 lakh persons under AAY. It projectes to cover 72.78 lakh persons in the coming time.