Antyodaya Card
Explanation
Under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), the government classifies households into different categories to ensure food security. Ration cards are issued based on these classifications to determine the entitlement and price of subsidized food grains.Option Analysis:
- BPL Card BPL Card: This card is issued to citizens living Below the Poverty Line. While it targets the poor, it covers a broader demographic than the specific "poorest of the poor" category.
- APL Card APL Card: This card is issued to citizens living Above the Poverty Line. These households are generally not the primary target for deep subsidies compared to BPL and AAY beneficiaries.
- Antyodaya Card Antyodaya Card (Correct): This card is issued under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), which was launched in December 2000. The scheme specifically targets the "poorest of the poor" families selected from amongst the BPL families. AAY cardholders are entitled to 35 kg of food grains per month at highly subsidized rates (e.g., Wheat at ₹2/kg and Rice at ₹3/kg).
- Annapurna Card Annapurna Card: This card is issued under the Annapurna Scheme to indigent senior citizens who are eligible for an old-age pension but are not receiving it. It is a specific welfare measure for the elderly rather than the general "poorest of the poor" classification.
Key Takeaway: The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) represents the lowest economic stratum within the BPL category, specifically designated as the "poorest of the poor" for maximum food subsidy benefits.