1800 MT of rice in storage; to benefit 5 lakh beneficiaries
NASHIK :
With a view to provide benefits of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package to the needy, poor families, migrant labourers and those without ration card, the district administration has started a survey of the citizens in the district. The total number of non-ration card holders in the district can go up to four to five lakh. For the purpose, 18,000 metric tons of rice is required and this stock is available with the district supply office under the public distribution system.
The survey which is currently underway at taluka places will ensure free distribution of 5 kg rice to the needy, poor families and migrant labourers who have applied for ration card but still not received the card and those who are not covered under NFSA or State scheme PDS cards for the months of May and June.
The fourth phase of the lockdown has started in Maharashtra along with rest of the country. Ration beneficiaries have been provided an extra three-month ration from April to June to avoid starvation during the lockdown. However, due to the extended lockdown, the poor without ration cards were staring at famine situation.
Citing this, union minister Paswan approved the distribution of food grain to those without ration cards. Accordingly, the district administration has started taluka-wise survey of the beneficiaries who are in dire need of food but do not have ration cards. Tehsildars have been instructed for this and information is being compiled through gram panchayat, nagar palika, nagar panchayat, councillors and public representatives. After finalisation and scrutiny of the list of all the beneficiaries surveyed across the district, the distribution of rice will start through the ration shops on valid Aadhaar Card proof.
* Ration beneficiaries in the district: 36 lakh
* Ration shops: 2600
* Monthly distribution of food grains:
Antyoday beneficiaries: 26 kg wheat, 9 kg rice
National Food Security Act (NFSA): 3 kg wheat, 2 kg rice
Saffron card holders: 3 kg wheat, 2 kg rice
Tehsildars have been instructed to conduct the survey. Beneficiaries sans ration card will be given 5 kg of rice for free after verification of their Aadhaar Card as valid ID proof. Generally, there may be 4 to 5 lakh beneficiaries. We need a stock of 1800 MT of rice for distribution.
– Dr. Arvind Narsikar, district supply officer
The government has announced that those who do not have ration cards will be given free rice. We have still not received guidelines on this. Once the order is received, we will start the distribution. However, citizens who do not have ration cards at present should avoid rush at ration shops.
– Nivrutti Kapse, district president,
fair price ration shopkeepers’ association
