Date:27/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/09/27/stories/2004092706730400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Rice, cash for poor under `food on credit'

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 26. The Food Assurance Programme (FAP) of the State Government to be launched on October 2, which is considered `food on credit' scheme for the needy, envisages supply of 40 kg of rice and Rs. 100 or at least Rs. 50 a family per month for eight months.

The scheme was originally conceived as a `hunger-centred, community-based asset development' approach to the Food-for-work (FFW) programme by Centre for Environment Concerns (CEC) and Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) for the needy in ten villages of three districts. It inspired the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, to launch a similar programme in select villages all over the State in the name of FAP. Officials gave a presentation on it on Sunday.

Labour intensive works

The FAP calls for identification of works, which are labour intensive and create durable rural infrastructure. Seventy-five per cent of the value of works would be met by food grain, and the rest is cash component. The intention is to cover 100 families in a village with the maximum value of works being Rs. 3.36 lakhs. In other words, each family will get 320 kg of rice at the rate of 40 kg a month and Rs. 100 a month for eight months. If it is difficult to tie up Rs. 100 a month, at least Rs. 50 will be provided and the equal value of rice will be delivered for the shortfall.

A decision as to who should give the administrative approval for the works is yet to be taken although the Collector or the gram panchayat were identified for the task. The village committees will maintain muster rolls.

Cards

The authorities will issue food assurance cards to families, which have delivered 10 person days. The cards contain particulars of the families and an assurance that 40 kg of food grain and Rs. 100 will be delivered for three months. The assurance can be availed for a further period of three to five months depending on the need. In return, the family should put in 25 person days of labour in three months.

Coupon distribution

Coupons, which are exchanged for rice at fair price shops and cash, would be distributed to the families in the first week of every month. The programme would be monitored at village, mandal, district and State levels.