The state cabinet on Friday cleared a proposal worth Rs 827.35 crore under which ‘Anandacha Shidha’ (kit of joy) — comprising one kg each of rawa, sugar and chana dal (lentil) and one litre of food oil at Rs 100 — will be provided to over 1.6 crore ration card holders in the state. The kit will be made available twice, during Ganesh festival and Diwali.
The state government had kickstarted the scheme in 2022 during Diwali. Similar kits were distributed marking Gudi Padwa — the Marathi New Year — in 2023.
On Friday, the cabinet cleared the estimated cost of Rs 827.35 crore based on the wholesale rates of the items mentioned in the kit.
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As per government estimates, each kit would cost Rs 239 to the government and will be made available to ration card holders at Rs 100.
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The kits will be distributed before September 19, marking the beginning of Ganesh festival and marking Diwali festival on November 12.
