Patna. There is news of great relief for the poor and needy families deprived of ration cards in Bihar. Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has announced that the new ration card will be provided to all eligible families of the state within 30 days of applying. He has appealed to the families deprived of ration cards to apply soon. The Chief Minister said that the government will ensure that eligible families get ration cards within the stipulated time frame and start receiving grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
The Chief Minister made this announcement in the distribution ceremony of newly issued ration cards and license letters of fair price shops organized by the Food and Consumer Protection Department at Gyan Bhawan, Patna on Thursday, 12 November. During this, he symbolically distributed ration cards to 23 lakh 75 thousand new beneficiaries. Besides, licenses were also granted for 1448 new public distribution system shops.
Relief to eligible families after canceled ration cards
Recently, after a large number of ration cards were canceled in Bihar, many families had stopped getting the benefits of the food grain scheme. After this, eligible families are being given the opportunity to apply again for making ration cards. The government says that those families whose eligibility remains, will be re-added to the scheme.
The Chief Minister made it clear that eligible families deprived of ration cards should not be troubled. They apply and their new card will be made within the time limit of 30 days set by the government. After this, they will also be provided food grains available under the public distribution system.
The objective of the government is that no needy family should be deprived of the benefits of food security. Ration card is not just a document for poor families, but an important medium to avail the benefits of government food grain scheme.
Target to add one crore new people
Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary said that the Food and Consumer Protection Department has been given the target of connecting one crore new people in the state with the ration card system. So far, about 24 lakh people have been connected in this direction.
He said that the priority of the state government is that no poor person in Bihar remains hungry and no eligible family is deprived of the benefits of government schemes. It is the government’s resolve to bring prosperity in the lives of the poor and give them an opportunity to live a life with dignity.
According to the Chief Minister, at present a total of 2.09 crore ration cards have been issued in Bihar. About 8.46 crore people are getting benefits through these. The process of adding new beneficiaries will continue further.
Eligible families will be identified at Panchayat level
The Chief Minister appealed to the public representatives and officials to run a campaign at the Panchayat level to identify the eligible families deprived of ration cards. He said that the Panchayat Day program organized on the last Sunday of every month should be used to connect the needy people with government schemes.
He also appealed to the media to cooperate in this campaign. The Chief Minister said that through news media, information should be provided to those families whose ration cards have not yet been made. With this, needy people will be able to apply and get the benefits of the food security scheme.
From next year, elderly people above 75 years of age will get ration at home.
During the program, the Chief Minister also made an important announcement for elderly ration card holders. He said that from next year, a system of providing food grains at home to the elderly people holding ration cards above 75 years of age will be started. With this, the elderly will not have to face the trouble of going to the public distribution system shops to get ration.
The Chief Minister said that elderly people above 80 years of age are also being provided the facility to get their land and property registered at home. The government is trying to ensure that elderly people can easily avail the benefits of government facilities.
1448 new ration shops got license
To strengthen the ration distribution system in the state, 1448 new Public Distribution System shops have been given licenses. The government believes that with the opening of new shops, the ration distribution system will expand and the beneficiaries will get convenience in getting the grains.
On this occasion, a short film based on departmental schemes and achievements was also screened by the Food and Consumer Protection Department. Many senior officials including Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Food and Consumer Protection Minister Ashok Chaudhary and Department Secretary Abhay Kumar Singh were present in the program.
Such families will have to apply
Eligible families who do not have a ration card can apply through the Food and Consumer Protection Department of the Government of Bihar. The facility of online application for new ration card is also available.
To apply, you will have to go to the official portal and complete the related process. Details of family members and necessary documents will have to be provided during the application. After this the application and eligibility will be scrutinized by the concerned authorities.
The Chief Minister said that the government’s aim is to ensure that the benefits of food security reach every eligible family. No poor family should be deprived of government schemes merely because of lack of information or inability to apply.
Government also emphasizes on employment and rural development
