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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
M[NISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2758
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH MARCH, 2026
RICE ALLOCATION UNDER ANNAPOORNA SCHEME
2758 SHRI A. A. RAHIM:
Will the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution be pleased to
state
(a) : the quantity of Rice allocated under the Annapoorna Scheme during each of the last
four years, year-wise and State-wise;
(b) : the number of beneficiaries covered under the Annapoorna Scheme during the same
period, State-wise and year-wise;
(c) : whether Government has examined the eligibility criteria for the scheme, particularly the
provision that persons receiving old age pension are excluded from coverage, if so, the
findings of such examination; and
(d) : whether Government is ready to modify the eligibility criteria to remove conditions that
exclude elderly persons receiving old age pensions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS.
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a) to (c): Annapurna Scheme is a demand-based sub-scheme of National Social Assistance
Programme (NS AP). Under this scheme, 10 kg of food grains per month are provided free of
cost to senior citizens (under BPL category) who, though eligible, are not receiving old-age
pension benefits. With the implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013, the lifting of
food grains under the Annapurna scheme has shown a declining trend since 2016-17 and has
been "Nil" for the last five years.
Annapurna scheme was aimed at providing food security to meet the requirement of
those senior citizens who, though eligible, have remained uncovered under the old age pension
scheme under NS AP. Furthermore, States have the option to extend financial assistance from
their own resources to cover additional eligible beneficiaries through state specific schemes.
(d): No, at present there is no such proposal under consideration in this regard.
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