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Gearing up to launch the UPA’s food security scheme next month, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Sunday stated that benefits would start percolating to beneficiaries by September. With Assembly elections scheduled to be held in November, the Delhi government and the Centre are hoping to play up the scheme and its implementation.

While addressing a Residential Welfare Association (RWA) workshop on Sunday, Dikshit said the food security scheme would ensure a hunger-free Delhi. "After the formal launch on August 20, the benefits will start percolating to those who need it the most with effect from September 2, for which comprehensive arrangements are being made," Dikshit said. She added that the government would begin issuing food security cards during the formal launch.

According to the Delhi government, BPL families and families with Jhuggi Ration Card and Antyodaya Anna Yojana cards would get wheat at Rs 2 per kg, rice at Rs 3 per kg and coarse grain at Rs 1 per kg. The scheme intends to benefit at least 5.1 lakh families or 32 lakh people in Delhi. "The benefit will be given through the eldest female member of the family in order to further empower women in the city," Dikshit said. She added that the government would eventually include more families under the ambit of Food Security.

After announcing last week that Delhi would be the first state to implement the Union government’s ambitious scheme, Dikshit had ordered all agencies and departments to complete the ground work for rollout of the scheme. A committee under the chairmanship of Food and Supply Minister Haroon Yusuf was also constituted to oversee preparations.

The CM also spoke about the government’s Jan Aahar and Aap Ki Rasoi centres. In December last year, Dikshit had launched the Annashri Yojana, also a food security programme, under which a monthly cash subsidy of Rs 600 is transferred into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of the eldest female members of at least one lakh poor families.

Interacting with RWA members from East and Northeast Delhi, Dikshit exhorted residents to exercise their rights in ensuring 116 services from 24 government departments and agencies under the Delhi Right of Citizens to Time Bound Delivery of Services Act. The Act makes bureaucrats liable to pay a penalty to citizens for delay in delivering desired services within the prescribed time limit.