| | This first-ever report, based on a survey in Madhya Pradesh, on the functioning of the
Antyodaya Anna Yojana reveals that the scheme has made a significant contribution to the
survival of families on the verge of destitution. However, with the poor outreach of the public
distribution system in the tribal areas and the insufficient coverage of the AAY within each
village, the yojana fails to make the difference it potentially can to the food security of the
poorest of the poor. This article also evaluates the "ruchikar" (relishing) mid-day meal
programme of the MP government as a result of which enrolment in schools has dramatically
increased despite the poor meal quality and inadequate infrastructure. But the absence of a
separate administration for meal management has placed an enormous burden on teachers, which
poses a danger of further compromising the already very poor quality of primary education.
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