Uttar Pradesh government has started distribution of free ration to cardholders under UP Free Ration Scheme from 13 April 2023. The free ration drive will continue until 24 April 2023. Ration cardholders will have to show their card at designated ration shops to procure free ration. Under the National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA), cardholders get free ration supplies every month. Beneficiaries will receive free ration in the district from 13th to 24th April 2023.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, PM Narendra Modi-led government has been giving benefits of a free ration scheme to poor families. Earlier, the free ration was disbursed under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). From 1 January 2023, the government is distributing free rations under the NFSA. So far the government has aided 81.35 crore people and the scheme will be continued till December 2023. Benefits are provided under the NFSA to the priority household members as well as the Antyodaya Anna Yojana family.
About UP Free Ration Scheme 2024
PMGKAY was implemented in seven phases between April 2020 and December 2022, costing central govt. a total of Rs. 3.43 trillion. Because the states off-take of grains in the scheme’s 7th phase, which ran from October to December 2022, was 9.17 million tonnes rather than the initial projection of 3.9 trillion rupees, the expenditure was lower than the earlier estimate. Compared to an initial estimate of Rs. 44,762 crore, the final phase of PMGKAY’s costs came to Rs. 34,208 crore.
Since the free ration program’s inception in April 2020, the Center has supplied more than 100 MT of foodgrains to help those who were suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic. Estimates show that states have raised 1.89 MT of the 2.11 MT of wheat that was supposed to be given under PMGKAY between October and December 2022. States have received 7.27 MT of the 9.89 MT of rice that was allocated to them. The program has been running continuously with a few extensions, except December 2020 through April 2021. The most recent extension lasted until December 31, 2022, for three months.
योगी सरकार ने मुफ्त राशन वितरण का लिया फैसला
उत्तर प्रदेश में गरीब लोगों के लिए मुफ्त राशन योजना को मंजूरी मिल गयी है। अब 13 अप्रैल से 24 अप्रैल तक मुफ्त राशन वितरण कैंप आयोजित किये जा रहे हैं। विपक्ष का मानना है की लोकसभा चुनाव 2024 को ध्यान में रखते हुए यह फैसला किया गया है तथा वर्ष 2024 में भाजपा को एक बार फिर उत्तर प्रदेश के रण में शानदार तरीके से जीत दिलाने के लिए यह कदम उठाया गया है। हाल ही में संपन्न राज्य विधानसभा चुनाव में भाजपा की शानदार जीत का एक प्रमुख कारण मुफ्त राशन का वितरण माना जा रहा है। ऐसे में उत्तर प्रदेश राज्य में आर्थिक रूप से कमजोर वर्ग के लोगों के लिए मुफ्त राशन योजना को शुरू किया गया है।
योगी सरकार राज्य में पात्र परिवारों को मुफ्त राशन उपलब्ध कराने की योजना का विस्तार कर रही है। इसके लिए खाद्य एवं रसद विभाग ने प्रस्ताव तैयार कर शासन को भेजा था जिसे अब लागू करने की अनुमति मिल गयी है। इस समय इस योजना के 15 करोड़ लाभार्थी हैं। इस संख्या को और बढ़ाया जाएगा।
Overview of UP Muft Ration Yojana
| Name | UP Free Ration Scheme |
| Launched by | Uttar Pradesh Government |
| Beneficiaries | Poor People |
| Objective | Providing ration free of cost |
| Date of Distribution | 13th April to 24th April 2023 |
Benefits of UP Free Ration Scheme
There are many benefits of the UP Free Ration Scheme. The main benefits which will be provided to the residents of the state will be the availability of free of cost food items for poor people. All of the residents will be able to gain food without giving any money to anyone. The food items will be available at the ration shop near your houses.
Documents Required
The following documents are required while getting the free ration from the PDS shops:-
- Aadhaar card
- Ration Card
Registration Procedure
There is no fixed registration procedure under the scheme. You will be able to avail the benefits of the scheme if you have a correct proof that you are a poor person from UP state. You will get the ration from your nearest PDS office.
Source / Reference Link: https://www.news18.com/business/up-govt-to-distribute-free-ration-to-cardholders-from-april-13-to-april-24-7537933.html