The government provides ration cards to all families. Families with ration cards can benefit from eight government schemes that can be a boon for them.
Currently, every citizen in the country has a ration card. To avail of any government scheme in India, it is necessary to have a ration card and an Aadhaar card. Without a ration card, you cannot benefit from government schemes. The ration card includes the names of all family members. The central and state governments provide various schemes from time to time through this card.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a life-saving scheme for farmers. Under this scheme, the crops of farmers across the country are insured against damage due to drought and floods by the central government. To avail of this scheme, farmers only need to pay 50% of the insurance premium, while the remaining 50% is provided as a subsidy by the central and state governments. The scheme offers insurance coverage of up to 2 lakh rupees to farmers.
Ujjwala Yojana
Under this scheme, women are provided with free gas connections. The scheme was launched on May 1, 2016. Its objective is to provide LPG, a clean cooking fuel, to rural and underprivileged families. Even after providing the free gas connection, the government continues to supply gas cylinders at subsidized rates.
Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana
This scheme was introduced on September 17, 2023, with a focus on artisans and craftsmen. Its objective is to enhance the skills and capabilities of these individuals. The scheme provides training and financial assistance to purchase necessary materials. In the first phase, loans of up to 1 lakh rupees are given with an interest rate not exceeding five percent. In the second phase, workers can receive loans of up to 2 lakh rupees.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
The objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to poor and homeless people for building a permanent house. Families without their own house can apply for this scheme online. The Modi government provides 130,000 rupees for rural areas and 120,000 rupees for urban areas. State governments also contribute to this assistance.
Labor Card Scheme
A Shramik Card is created for poor and laborer workers whose age should be between 18 and 59 years. By obtaining a Shramik Card, individuals can benefit from accident insurance, assistance for house construction, daughter’s marriage assistance, education assistance, health insurance, and more. Anyone working in the unorganized sector can apply for a Shramik Card. Additionally, there is a provision for a pension after the age of 60.
Free Sewing machine scheme
The Modi government is working to empower women. Under this scheme, poor and laborer women in the country are provided with sewing machines by the central government. This enables them to start their businesses from home, helping them become self-reliant and empowered.
Prime Minister Kisan Samman Yojana
The central government is running this scheme to increase the income and strengthen the economic condition of the country’s farmers. Under this scheme, farmers are given 6,000 rupees every year in three installments. These installments of 2,000 rupees each are directly transferred to the farmers’ bank accounts. In many states, the number of installments is also being increased. So far, 16 installments of the Kisan Samman Nidhi have been released.
Free Ration Scheme
This is the country’s largest scheme, also known as the Ann Yojana. Under this scheme, the government provides free ration supplies to poor and BPL (Below Poverty Line) families. Each ration cardholder receives 5 kilograms of ration per person. Beneficiaries can obtain wheat, rice, and other items from fair price shops, and the specifics may vary from state to state.
