Patna. In Bihar, elderly people will no longer have to stand in long queues at Public Distribution System (PDS) shops to get ration. The state government is going to start the system of home delivery of food grains to people above 75 years of age. Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has announced to implement this facility from next year. Along with this, those applying for a new ration card have also been assured that the card will be issued within 30 days.
The Chief Minister distributed ration cards and licenses of new public distribution system shops among the new beneficiaries in a program organized at Gyan Bhawan on Thursday. The program was inaugurated by Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary (CM Samrat Choudhary), Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Food and Consumer Protection Minister Ashok Chaudhary jointly did.
8.46 crore people benefited from 2.09 crore ration cards
The Chief Minister said that so far 2 crore 9 lakh ration cards have been issued in the state. Through these, about 8 crore 46 lakh people are getting the benefits of food security schemes including free ration. Till Diwali, 24 lakh new beneficiaries have also been added to this system. He said that the eligible people who still do not have ration card can apply. After receiving the application from the government, a new ration card will be issued within 30 days. Any kind of negligence will not be tolerated in this process.
Beneficiaries will also join Ayushman Bharat scheme
The Chief Minister said that all the ration card holders of the state have been linked to the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Under this, about three and a quarter crore new people have been included. The aim of the government is to provide food facilities to poor families as well as provide free treatment in case of illness.
Villages and cities will be developed with Rs 22 thousand crores
The Chief Minister also informed about 'Seva Sankalp and Kayakalp Abhiyan' to speed up the development works in the state. He said that before March 31, about Rs 22 thousand crore will be spent under this campaign. With this amount, additional roads will be constructed in villages and urban wards. Apart from this, construction of school building, health centre, Anganwadi centre, Kanya Vivah Bhawan and Chhath Ghats will also be done.
Panchayat Development Day will be celebrated every month
The Chief Minister directed officials and public representatives to celebrate 'Panchayat Development Day' on the last Sunday of every month. During this period, the ongoing development schemes in the Panchayats will be reviewed and the progress of the works will be kept track of. The aim of the government is to strengthen the basic facilities in rural and urban areas by timely completion of development schemes.