By IANS,
Bhopal : The Madhya Pradesh government will Saturday launch a food scheme that is expected to benefit 4.5 million people living below poverty line (BPL) in the state.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will launch the subsidised food scheme, called Mukhya Mantri Annapurna Yojana, at Bhopal.
Beneficiaries will get wheat and rice at just Rs.3 and Rs.4.50 per kg, respectively, from fair price shops, according to an official announcement.
An allocation of Rs.1.6 billion has been made in the budget for giving the subsidy, an official said adding, that over 4.5 million BPL families will benefit from the scheme.
“Each family will get 20 kg food grains (wheat or rice). This will entail an annual financial burden of Rs.213 crore (2.13 billion) on the state exchequer,” said the official.
“Garib sammelans (conventions for the poor) will be held district-wise to mark the beginning of the scheme under the direct surveillance of respective district collectors”, said principal secretary agriculture Pravesh Sharma.
The scheme was earlier slated for launch April 15 but later postponed to April 26.