The ambitious Food Security Programme was launched in Haryana, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Delhi today. The objective of the programme is to make the country hunger free.

In New Delhi, the programme was rolled out by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at a function this afternoon. Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Gandhi said, the historic legislation on food security gurantees entitlement of nutritious foodgrains at highly subsidised rates to two- third of the population.

Mrs Gandhi also said that special emphasis has been given to check leakages in the public distribution system so that the targeted beneficiaries can receive actual benefit through the scheme.

Speaking on the scheme, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Prof. K.V Thomas said, special focus has been given on nutritional support to women and children. He said, pregnant and lactating mothers, besides being entitled to nutritious meals, will also receive maternity benefit of at least of 6000 rupees.

Speaking on the occasion, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit said, the identified beneficiaries will get highly subsidised foodgrains from the 1st of next month. Initially, 32 lakh people of vulnerable sections will be covered and later it will be extended to around 73 lakh people.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda launched the programme at a function in Panipat.

In Uttrakhand, the Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna launched the programme and in Arunachal Pradesh his counter part Nabam Tuki.

AIR correspondent reports, eligible households will get rice at 3 rupees, wheat at 2 rupees and coarse cereals one rupee per kilogram. Households under Antyodaya Anna Yojna category will be entitled for 35 kilograms of foodgrains per month, while the BPL, Jhuggi and Resettlement Colony Ration Card holders will get 5 kilograms of foodgrains per person per month.

Eldest woman in every eligible household will be treated as head of the family for entitlements.