IEP Chandigarh, January 16
The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is leaving no stone unturned to provide every facility to the common people with full emphasis on transparency factor. As part of this, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department is undertaking distribution of wheat in the State under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana with full adherence to the norms of transparency. The Electronic Point of Sale Machines are being used for the purpose under which the wheat is distributed to the beneficiaries only after getting their thumb impression with the quantity distributed entered in the receipt. Apart from this, the District Offices have been directed to make clear the benefits entailed under the National Food Security Act 2013, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana and One Nation One Ration Card, at the every ration depot. The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the Union Government is sending the wheat to Punjab in respect of only 1.41 crore beneficiaries whereas the State has 1.57 crore beneficiaries at present. A verification drive under the National Food Security Act, 2013 has also been started to remove in-eligible beneficiaries from amongst the additional 16 crore beneficiaries. Further, the wheat distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana is provided to the State Government by the FCI out of the Central pool stock. This Central pool wheat is packed in the bardana and is distributed by the depot holders in loose form by opening the sacks. Also, the Department has adopted zero tolerance approach towards any malpractice and in case any complaint is received during the distribution of the stock of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana then the complaint is minutely probed followed by strict action against erring officials, employees and depot holders It is noteworthy that the Union Government began the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana in April 2020 during corona pandemic for meeting the shortage of foodgrains. Under the scheme, the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act 2013 i.e. those of Antyodaya Ann Yojana or the Priority Households are being provided with the 5 Kg wheat per beneficiary per month.
