Tamil Nadu Received Below Quota of Rice Under Antyodaya Anna Yojana in Five of the Last Seven Years

Between the fiscal years 2019-20 and 2025-26, the utilization of allocated food grains showed significant variation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic year of 2020-21. Notably, in that year, the withdrawal of food grains was nearly aligned with the allocated amount of approximately 6.99 lakh tonnes, achieving an off-take rate of about 98%.

In contrast, the subsequent years experienced fluctuating off-take rates: during the fiscal years 2022-23 and 2023-24, the off-take was approximately 73%, and it increased marginally to 79% in 2024-25. These statistics highlight the impact of external factors, including public health measures and changing demand, on food grain distribution and utilization.

Understanding the trends in food grain allocation and off-take is crucial for policymakers as they seek to ensure food security and address challenges that arise from unpredictable circumstances, such as pandemics or economic shifts.