The Annapurna scheme was introduced in the year 2000 and is valid up to 2011. Entire fund under this scheme is financed by the Central Government. It aims at providing food security to meet the requirement of those Senior Citizens who though eligible have remained uncovered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS). The Beneficiaries are proposed to be covered in a phased manner depending on the availability of funds and the performance of the State authorities. The State Food & Civil Supplies Dept. will purchase foodgrains from the Food Corporation of India on payment of economic cost and will ensure that FCI supplies foodgrains to the district as per district wise allocation decided by State within overall allocation of the State concerned.

Under the Annapurna Scheme, 10 Kg. of food grains per month are to be provided 'free of cost' to the Beneficiary. The number of persons to be benefited from the Scheme will, in the first instance, be 20% of the persons eligible to receive pension under NOAPS in States/Union Territories. Central assistance under Annapurna Scheme will be provided to the Beneficiaries fulfilling the following criteria:

1. The age of the applicant (female or male) should be 65 years or above.
2. The applicant must be "destitute" in the sense of having little or no regular means of subsistence from his/her own source of income or through financial support from family members or other sources. In order to determine destitution, the criteria (if any) currently in force in the State/UTs could also be followed. 
3. The applicant should not be in receipt of pension under the NOAPS or State Pension Scheme.
4. As mentioned above, the Beneficiary would be entitled for 10 Kgs of food grains (wheat or rice) per month free of cost.

Central assistance under Annapurna Scheme will be provided to the Beneficiaries fulfilling the following criteria:

1. The age of the applicant (female or male) should be 65 years or above.
2. The applicant must be "destitute" in the sense of having little or no regular means of subsistence from his/her own source of income or through financial support from family members or other sources. In order to determine destitution, the criteria (if any) currently in force in the State/UTs could also be followed. 
3. The applicant should not be in receipt of pension under the NOAPS or State Pension Scheme.
4. As mentioned above, the Beneficiary would be entitled for 10 Kgs of food grains (wheat or rice) per month free of cost.

Contact

Gram Panchayats identifies the beneficiaries and communicate the same to collector/CEO.