Aay 4 Page <BEST>

The scheme has acted as a vital safety net during crises. During the COVID-19 lockdown, for instance, the AAY infrastructure provided a critical lifeline. Because the identification mechanism was already in place, the government was able to direct additional food rations and cash transfers to these families swiftly. Without this targeted network, the humanitarian crisis could have been significantly more severe.

Tracks current and permanent addresses to establish state residency. aay 4 page

The largest criticism is inaccurate targeting. A 2018 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report found that 34% of AAY households were not among the poorest; conversely, 46% of eligible extreme-poor households were excluded. Reasons include outdated BPL lists, political favoritism, and corruption. The scheme has acted as a vital safety net during crises