In a bid to provide respite to the poor sections of the society from the economic devastation caused by the COVID19 pandemic, the Uttar Pradesh government announced on May 15 that it shall provide three kilograms of wheat and two kilograms of rice free to the below poverty line (BPL) ration card holding families for three months.

It also stated that an allowance of one thousand rupees per month shall be provided to daily wagers and other poor labourers in the urban areas of the state.

Also Read: Rising hunger stares rural India in the face as the second wave of COVID invades villages

The income limit for qualifying as a beneficiary under the BPL list has been fixed as Rs 27,000 per annum.

“Uttar Pradesh Cabinet decides to provide Rs 1000 to daily wagers, rickshaw pullers, boatmen, roadside stall owners, saloon owners, washermen etc in urban areas,” news agency ANI quoted the state government’s announcement.

Also Read: Centre announces 5 kg free grains a month to the poor for May-June; experts seek extension

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led state government’s announcement was second such initiative in less than a month. Last month, on April 26, two days after a similar announcement by the Central government, the state government had announced an additional five kilograms of foodgrains to the poor under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

Last summer, during the nationwide lockdown, Gaon Connection conducted a national rural survey of 25,000 rural respondents to understand the impact of the pandemic on rural households (Read the full survey report here).

As per the survey, only 71 per cent households with ration cards reportedly received foodgrains from the government in the lockdown. However, only 27 per cent of non-ration card holding households received foodgrains support from the government.