Giving access to consumption of sugar as a source of energy in diet, f

Giving access to consumption of sugar as a source of energy in diet, for the poorest of the poor sections of the society, has been initiated under

Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
Annapurna Scheme.
Targeted Public Distribution System.
Mid-day Meal Scheme.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2021
The correct answer is A) Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is a scheme launched by the Government of India under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) aimed at providing highly subsidised foodgrains to the poorest among the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. While the central government provides foodgrains, many state governments also distribute additional essential commodities like sugar, pulses, edible oil, etc., at subsidised prices through the TPDS outlets to AAY beneficiaries. Access to sugar for the poorest sections is most directly linked to the provisions often made for beneficiaries under the AAY component of TPDS.
The Annapurna Scheme provides 10 kg of free foodgrains per month to indigent senior citizens who are not receiving pension under the National Old Age Pension Scheme. The Mid-day Meal Scheme provides cooked meals to school children. While the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is the overall framework, AAY specifically targets the ‘poorest of the poor’ families within the TPDS beneficiaries, making it the most relevant scheme for providing access to commodities like sugar for this specific demographic.