Gandhinagar: In a move to help Antyodaya and BPL families in the state celebrate Diwali better, the Gujarat government has announced additional benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Over 32.6 million members of more than 7.5 million ration cardholding families across the state are receiving wheat, rice, and coarse grains like bajra and jowar free of cost from over 17,000 fair price shops under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

The government has also decided to distribute additional sugar and edible oil at subsidized rates to provide further relief, said Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Kunvarji Bhavliya.

Details of the Scheme:

• Families under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) receive 35 kg of grains per ration card, while Priority Household (PHH) families receive 5 kg of grains per person, free of cost.

• To ensure protein-rich nutrition, 1 kg of chickpeas per card is provided at a subsidized rate of ₹30 per kg, and 1 kg of tuvar dal per card at ₹50 per kg.

• Additionally, 1 kg of salt per card is provided at ₹1 per kg for all eligible AAY and PHH families.

The minister stated that, especially on the occasion of the Diwali festival, the state government is providing quality edible oil (singtel) to families covered under NFSA 2013 at a subsidized rate of ₹100 per 1-liter pouch, which is lower than the market price. In addition to their entitled quota, BPL and Antyodaya families are being given 1 kg of additional sugar per card—at a subsidized rate of ₹22 per kg for BPL families and ₹15 per kg for Antyodaya families.

Through these initiatives, the state government aims to ensure that all Antyodaya and Priority Household families under NFSA 2013 receive not only food security but also nutritional security, contributing to the overall development and well-being of Gujarat’s citizens, the minister added. DeshGujarat