Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has intensified its ongoing flagship ration kit distribution drive namely MERI RASOI to ensure nutritional security for vulnerable households, with nearly 30.48 lakh families already benefiting under the initiative. The drive aims to cover a total of 40.48 lakh eligible families across Punjab after every quarter i.e. 3 Months.
Guided by the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, the distribution under the flagship initiative is being carried out on mission mode.
Notably, each family would receive one ration kit which has been carefully designed to meet essential dietary needs of a household. It contains two kilograms of lentils, two kilograms of sugar, one kilogram of salt, 200 grams of turmeric powder, and one litre of mustard oil for monthly consumption. These food kits are being provided in addition to the wheat already being distributed to eligible beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
The ration kits are assembled by the Markfed while the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department oversees the distribution network across the State. Out of the 30.48 Lakh ration kits distributed so far, Ludhiana accounts for maximum with 344427, Patiala at second spot with 224447, Amritsar third with 208073, Bathinda fourth with 190800, Jalandhar fifth with 169223 and Gurdaspur Sixth with 168880 Ration Kits.
As for the other districts Fazilka has seen distribution of 162163 Ration Kits, Sangrur 157009 Ration Kits, Hoshiarpur 149846, Tarn Taran 147049, Sri Muktsar Sahib 141122, Ferozepur 117865, Moga 115314, Mansa 98149, Kapurthala 84355, Fatehgarh Sahib 81700, Faridkot 81300, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar 79753, Pathankot 79363, Rupnagar 73625, Barnala 67927, Malerkotla 53804, and in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar 52002 ration kits stand distributed.
The objective is to supplement the staple grain with essential proteins, cooking oil, and spices, thereby improving overall nutritional intake for families covered under the scheme.
The distribution is being monitored to ensure transparency, prevent duplication, and guarantee last-mile delivery. District administrations, the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, and local officials are coordinating to ensure the success of the novel measure.
The scheme stands testimony to the State Government’s committment to ensuring that no eligible family is left without food security. By adding these ration kits to the existing NFSA wheat distribution, both hunger and nutrition issues are being addressed.
