Lucknow, March 26: The Yogi Adityanath government beginning its second term on Saturday announced extension of Uttar Pradesh government’s free ration scheme covering 15 crore people for three months up to June. The decision was taken during the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed government that was held at the Lok Bhawan here.
“The scheme which was re-launched in December last year for up to March is being extended for another three months,” Adityanath told the media. He said that under the scheme 35 kg ration is being given to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card holders and five kg per unit to Patra Grihasti card holders.
“In addition to this ration, one kg pulses, one kg iodized salt and one kg refine oil will be provided, apart from one kg sugar will be provided to AAY card holders,” he said. He said approximately Rs 3,270 crore will be spent on the free ration scheme. Free ration was claimed to be the game changer for the BJP in the Februaray-March polls. The scheme was launched at the onset of the Covid pandaemic to help the poor in the state.
Besides the state’s, free ration was also given under PM Gareeb Kalyan Yojna.The chief minister said the Centre during the Covid period too had provided free ration to 80 crore population in the country for 15 months. Adityanath said during the Covid period too, the state provided free ration for three months in 2020 and again three months in 2021. Besides it continued the scheme for four months from December, 2021. UNI
