On Tuesday, which marks Independence Day, Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, is set to inaugurate the Mukhyamantri Nishulk Annapurna Food Packet Scheme.
The Annapurna food packets, encompassed by the scheme, will be provided every month to families eligible under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) through fair price shops (FPS) at no cost. Each packet will comprise one kilogram of gram pulses, sugar, and iodized salt, along with one liter of soybean refined edible oil. Additionally, 100 grams each of chili powder and coriander powder, as well as 50 grams of turmeric powder, will be included in each packet.
In a statement, the government said that this scheme “will be a milestone in the direction of realising the state government’s resolution of ‘No one should sleep hungry in the state’.
The inauguration event will take place at over 25,000 FPS locations, spanning across district and block headquarters, even encompassing the recently established districts. The entire event will be live-streamed for broadcast.
At the district and block level function, designated FPS kiosks will be established. During this event, public representatives will utilize point of sale (POS) machines to distribute the food packets to beneficiaries. The program is anticipated to be attended by members of the state council, MLAs, and various other public representatives.
The scheme was unveiled by CM Gehlot during his budget presentation earlier this year. This initiative is estimated to incur an annual expenditure of approximately INR 4,500 crore for the state treasury.
“This sensitive initiative by the Chief Minister will provide relief to over one crore needy families in the era of inflation,” the government said.
Up to this point, more than 1.04 crore individuals have enrolled at the Mehangai Rahat Camps to access the advantages offered by this program. The registration process continues at the permanent camps designated for this particular scheme.
The scheme stands as the most recent addition to a series of public welfare initiatives proclaimed by Gehlot.