Delhi govt to launch food security scheme tomorrow

The ambitious food security programme will be launched here tomorrow on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, making Delhi the first state to do so even as passage of a bill in Parliament to this effect hangs in balance.
The scheme will be launched by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said today while noting that her government has made all arrangement to ensure its effective implementation.
Sources in Congress said it was determined to ensure passage of the Food Security Bill tomorrow. The scheme has been described by Congress as 'game changer' in the Lok Sabha polls.

Asked if would be proper to launch the programme before Parliament clears the Food Security Bill, Dikshit said there was no "technical issue" as the ordinance on it was in place.
"The ordinance is in place. So there is no legal issue in launching the scheme. I hope the Bill will be passed tomorrow," Dikshit said.
Dikshit said Delhi government will provide benefits under the scheme to 73.5 lakh people in the city out of the total population of 1.68 crore.

Facing election in November, the Chief Minister has already asked all Congress MLAs and councillors to help eligible people get benefits under the scheme as well as publicise it effectively.

5.10 lakh families are entitled to foodgrain in the first phase which will be given to the beneficiary families through their seniormost female members.
All BPL families, Above Poverty Line (APL) card holders and Jhughi Ration Card (JRC) holders and beneficiaries under Antodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) will be included in the first phase.
The city government has also decided to include homeless people, daily wage-earners, rag-pickers, people living in resettlement colonies and slum clusters in the first phase of implementation of the scheme.
No income tax payers, vehicle and house owners will be included under the scheme in the first phase, officials said, adding that the second and final phase of implementation of the scheme will be launched in February next year.

Under the scheme, three-fourth population of the country will have the right to get 5kg foodgrains every month at highly subsidised rates of Rs 1-3 per kg.
The per kg price of rice will be Rs 3 while wheat and coarse cereals will be given at Rs 2 and Rs 1 per kg, respectively, under the programme.
However, about 2.43 crore of the poorest of the poor families covered under AAY scheme under PDS would continue to get 35kg of foodgrains per family per month but with legal entitlement.