Annapurna Scheme

Annapurna Scheme aims to meet the needs of older people who, despite being eligible for an old age pension, were not receiving benefits under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), ensuring food security. Thus, an Annapurna Scheme beneficiary will be given a “free” 10 kg of food grains each month. So, this program was introduced by the Ministry of Rural Development in 2000-2001.

The scheme is part of the National Social Assistance Programme, launched in 1995 to assist the families of the elderly, disabled, widows, and those who had lost their primary earner. Therefore, it aims to provide food security to meet the needs of older people who are eligible for an old age pension but do not benefit from the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS).

Checkout Annapurna Scheme Guidelines

Annapurna Scheme Features

This is the scheme of the central sector.
The provision of food aid is the primary goal of this program.
Under this scheme, 10 kg of food grains are distributed monthly to the elderly (over 65) and the poor living with little or no income.
The Government of India has set the target at 52,215, which is 20% of those who are eligible for the
National Old Age Pension, but do not receive it for various reasons.
The choice of beneficiaries and the way of implementation is flexible for states.
Food grains are distributed among state governments by BPL rate rules.
The Gram Sabha selects the beneficiaries of the program and the Gram Panchayat issues the beneficiaries their preferred cards.

Eligibility Criteria For Annapurna Scheme

Applicant must be at least 65 years of age.
The applicant must not have a permanent source of livelihood from their income and be in extreme poverty.
A National Old Age Pension Scheme or State Pension Scheme retiree is not eligible to apply.

Implementing Authority of the Annapurna

At the state level, the State Departments of Food and Civil Supply are responsible for implementing this scheme, and at the district level, the District Collector/CEO and Zila Panchayat. It is the responsibility of Gram Panchayats to disseminate information on how to obtain benefits under the Scheme.

Allocation of funds for Annapurna

State Departments of Food and Civil Supply receive funding from the central government in one payment. So, the Food Corporation of India and the F&CS Department then cooperate in distributing food grains to districts after payment of the cost of food grains at Central Selling Prices directly to the FCI offices.

At first, food grains were supplied at a reasonable price (9.80 rupees per kg). However, as of 11/1/2000, food grains are provided to BPL families at CIP rates (Rs 4.90/kg).

National Social Assistance Program

The National Social Assistance Program was launched on August 15, 1995. Thus, this was a strong step in achieving the directive principles summarized in Article 41 of the Constitution.

In addition to benefits that governments already provide or may provide in the future. So, the program has developed a National Social Assistance Policy for the Poor and aims to provide a minimum national standard of social assistance. This is an umbrella program that includes 5 schemes.

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme.
Indira Gandhi National Widows Pension Scheme.
National Family Benefit Scheme.
Annapurna Scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What is Annapurna Scheme?

The Annapurna Scheme is a central sector scheme that aims to fulﬁll the needs of Senior Citizens who, despite being eligible, have not received benefits under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS). Therefore, It was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development in 2000–2001.

Who are Eligible under Annapurna Scheme?

The eligibility criteria for Annapurna Scheme are

The applicant must be at least 65 years old.
The applicant should have no regular source of sustenance from his own income and be in extreme poverty.
A National Old Age Pension Scheme or State Pension Scheme pensioner is not eligible to apply.

Who are the Implementing Authority at State and district levels for Annapurna Scheme?

At the state level, the State Departments of Food and Civil Supply (F&CS) are responsible for implementing this scheme, and at the district level, the District Collector/CEO is responsible.

What is National Social Assistance Program?

The National Social Assistance Program was established on August 15, 1995. This was an important step towards the implementation of the directive principles set out in article 41 of the Constitution. So, this program created the National Social Assistance Policy for the Poor and aims to provide a minimum national standard of social assistance.

What was the target set by the government for the Annapurna Scheme?

The Government of India has set a target of 52,215 people, which is 20% of those who are eligible for the National Old Age Pension but do not receive it for various reasons.