Following the Delhi High Court’s direction to provide ration to the Persons with Disabilities-PWDs, Central Government has asked all states to include them under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
Divyangjan will get 35 kg food grain per family every month under it. In a series of tweets, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said, it is upto the state governments to decide who will be the beneficiary under AAY ration card and Priority Households ration card.
Mr Paswan said, during the expansion of AAY in 2003, there were clear instructions in the guidelines to include Divyangjan in this scheme. He directed the State governments to ensure that no Divyangjan is deprived of the benefits. The Minister also urged the states to ensure that Divyangjan get 5 kg free food grain per person under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Package.
Meanwhile, the National Federation of the Blind has welcomed the Central government’s move. Talking to AIR News, Federation General Secretary S K Rungta said, this decision will provide relief to around 2 to 3 crore Divyangjan across the country. He urged the government to ensure that the benefits of other welfare schemes like MGNREGA also reach to Divyangjan.
Yesterday, the Court had asked the Centre to consider providing ration to the Persons with Disabilities based on their disability certificates.
