The ambitious Food Security scheme was launched in Haryana today by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who said the programme will benefit more than 1.26 crore people in the state.
Hooda hailed National Food Security Ordinance as a "historic" measure, saying those opposed to it are not interested in the welfare of the poor.
"They had done nothing for the poor when they were in power. They criticise things but do not come forward to discuss any scheme," he said at a function here.
The scheme was rolled out in three Congress-ruled states of Delhi, Haryana and Uttarakhand on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Hooda said the Haryana government aims to cover 51.5 per cent of the state's population under the scheme.
The food security scheme which has been simultaneously launched throughout the state aims at providing adequate quantity of quality food to the people at affordable prices so that they can live with dignity, Hooda told reporters here.
Under the scheme, the beneficiaries will have the right to get 5-kg foodgrains every month at highly subsidised rates of Rs 1-3 per kg.
More than half of the population of Haryana would directly benefit under the scheme as rice, wheat and coarse grains at subsidized rates of Rs 3, Rs 2, and Re 1, respectively, he said.
Besides, 12.84 lakh BPL families would get two-kg sugar per month at the subsidised rate of Rs 13.5 per kg per family.
All eligible beneficiaries would benefit from the scheme from August 20, 2013, he added.
Hooda said that the state government had also started 'Dal Roti' scheme under which 2.5-kg daal per month would be given at the subsidised rate of Rs 20 per kg per family.
The scheme would benefit 12.84 lakh BPL families.
"It would be implemented next month due to the court's stay on the tender. The benefit would be given from August 20, 2013 to all eligible persons," he added.
Answering a question, Hooda said that instructions had been issued to the Food Corporation of India to ensure the supply of quality foodgrains under the scheme.
The distribution of foodgrains would be conducted through ration depots for which proper supply had been ensured.
In reply to a question regarding the action taken against the ineligible beneficiaries, Hooda said that some complaints had been received in this regard.
"We have already put a stay on the recovery of benefits. Our objective is to ensure that not a single eligible should be left out," he added.
