New Delhi: With Assembly elections scheduled for early next year in Uttar Pradesh, the state government is working on plans to bring more people under various welfare schemes. The government aims to connect the public with these welfare programs. The Yogi Adityanath government is now set to pave the way for providing free rations to 4.7 million (47 lakh) newly eligible individuals.
The government will soon bring the underprivileged people under the ambit of the National Food Security Scheme. This means that poor and needy families who were previously left out of the ration scheme will now be able to avail the facility of free rations. The government’s objective is not merely to add names to the list but to ensure that eligible beneficiaries actually receive the scheme’s benefits. Their eligibility will first be verified, after which their names will be added to the ration card database.
Information Provided by the Food Minister
Manoj Kumar Pandey, the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies in the UP government, shared details regarding the scheme. He stated that approximately 160 million (16 crore) people in the state are currently receiving free rations. Nevertheless, the government’s top priority is to promptly include any eligible person who is not yet benefiting from the scheme. He added that the government is continuously working in this direction and will now launch a special drive to identify approximately 4.7 million new eligible beneficiaries.
Basis for Eligibility
Minister Manoj Kumar Pandey stated that this is a scheme where no discrimination of any kind takes place; poverty is the sole criterion for inclusion. Every poor person will be brought under the scheme. He emphasised that the selection process for eligibility would be conducted transparently and equitably. The government aims to ensure there is no discrimination based on class, region, or community, ensuring that the benefits of the government scheme reach every eligible individual.
Why the Campaign is Being Launched
According to the state government, many new families have fallen into the economically weaker category over time. There are also many individuals whose names were omitted from the ration card list for various reasons. A special verification drive is being launched to identify such eligible individuals. Once the verification process is complete, the names of eligible individuals will be added to the list, enabling them to avail the benefits of free rations. This campaign will gain further momentum in the coming days.
Ration Distribution System Becomes Transparent
The Minister stated that the UP government has taken a major step towards fully digitising the ration distribution system. Through the use of e-PoS machines and digital verification, steps are being taken to ensure that rations reach the genuine beneficiaries. The initiative also aims to prevent any irregularities or malpractices in the process.
