Introduction:
The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Annapurna Scheme (APS) are two government schemes in India that are linked with the public distribution system (PDS). These schemes aim to provide food security and nutritional support to the vulnerable sections of society.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY):
- The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in December 2000 by the Government of India.
- It is a part of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and is designed to provide highly subsidized food grains to the poorest families in rural and urban areas.
- Under this scheme, 35 kilograms of food grains (wheat and rice) are provided per month to each eligible household at a highly subsidized rate of Rs. 3 per kilogram for wheat and Rs. 2 per kilogram for rice.
- The identification of eligible households is done by the state governments based on various criteria such as income, occupation, and social status.
- The main objective of AAY is to ensure food security for the poorest of the poor and to alleviate hunger and malnutrition among them.

Annapurna Scheme (APS):
- The Annapurna Scheme (APS) was launched in April 2000 by the Government of India.
- It is a welfare scheme that aims to provide food security to the destitute and elderly people who are not covered under any other social security scheme.
- Under this scheme, 10 kilograms of food grains (wheat and rice) are provided per month to each eligible beneficiary free of cost.
- The beneficiaries under APS are identified by the state governments based on their socio-economic conditions.
- The main objective of APS is to ensure food security and prevent hunger among the destitute and elderly population who are unable to earn a livelihood.

Linkage with Public Distribution System (PDS):
- Both the AAY and APS are linked with the public distribution system (PDS), which is a government-controlled system for the distribution of essential commodities to the public at affordable prices.
- The food grains provided under AAY and APS are distributed through the existing network of fair price shops, which are part of the PDS.
- The PDS ensures the timely and regular supply of food grains to the eligible households and beneficiaries under these schemes.
- By linking AAY and APS with the PDS, the government aims to streamline the distribution process and ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the benefits of these schemes effectively.

Conclusion:
The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Annapurna Scheme (APS) are important government initiatives that are linked with the public distribution system (PDS). These schemes play a crucial role in providing food security and nutritional support to the poorest and most vulnerable sections of society. By ensuring the availability of highly subsidized food grains through the PDS, these schemes aim to alleviate hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity among the targeted beneficiaries.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Annapurna Scheme (APS)
These two schemes, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Annapurna Scheme (APS), are linked with the public distribution system in India.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
- AAY is a government scheme launched in 2000 aimed at providing highly subsidized food grains to the poorest of the poor in India.
- It targets the poorest families in rural and urban areas who are unable to afford food at market prices.
- Under this scheme, eligible households are provided with 35 kilograms of food grains per month at a highly subsidized rate.
- The eligible beneficiaries are identified by the respective state governments.
Annapurna Scheme (APS)
- APS is a government scheme launched in 2000 to provide food security to senior citizens who are eligible for National Old Age Pension (NOAP) but are not receiving it.
- It aims to provide 10 kilograms of food grains per month to eligible senior citizens free of cost.
- The beneficiaries of this scheme are identified by the respective state governments.
- APS is implemented through the existing network of fair price shops.
Link with Public Distribution System (PDS)
- Both AAY and APS are part of the public distribution system (PDS) in India.
- PDS is a government-run system that aims to provide essential commodities, including food grains, at affordable prices to the general public.
- AAY and APS are specific schemes within the PDS that target specific categories of beneficiaries, such as the poorest families and senior citizens, respectively.
- The food grains provided under these schemes are distributed through the existing network of fair price shops, which are part of the PDS.
In conclusion, AAY and APS are linked with the public distribution system in India, as they are implemented through the existing network of fair price shops and aim to provide subsidized food grains to specific categories of beneficiaries.