The Bihar government is exploring the possibility of doorstep delivery of Public Distribution System (PDS) ration for beneficiaries aged 80 years and above. Food and Consumer Protection Minister Ashok Choudhary on Tuesday directed officials to examine the feasibility of this proposal.
Pilot Project for Octogenarians
Chairing a review meeting on departmental schemes, procurement operations, the PDS, and consumer protection initiatives, Choudhary asked officials to prepare a proposal for launching a pilot project for home delivery of foodgrains to octogenarians. He stated that the government would consider statewide implementation based on the outcome of the pilot project.
Transparency and Timely Distribution
Choudhary also instructed officials to complete the issuance of new ration cards within the stipulated timeline and ensure complete transparency in the process. He directed the department to fill vacancies in fair price shops under the PDS within a fixed timeframe.
The minister asked the Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation to ensure timely supply of quality foodgrains to beneficiaries in the prescribed quantity and warned of strict action against negligent transporters. He emphasized that the timely distribution of foodgrains to beneficiaries is the department's top priority and negligence in this regard will not be tolerated.
Warehouse Construction Under PPP Model
Choudhary also asked officials to explore the construction of warehouses under the public-private partnership (PPP) model to strengthen foodgrain storage capacity in the state.
Senior officials, including Secretary Abhay Kumar Singh, Special Secretary Upendra Kumar, and Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Managing Director Sunil Kumar, attended the meeting and reviewed the status of ongoing departmental programmes and initiatives.
