Punjab issues 2,800 new ration depot licences to improve access
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday handed over licences to 2,800 new ration depot holders, saying the move will bring ration distribution closer to
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday handed over licences to 2,800 new ration depot holders, saying the move will bring ration distribution closer to people's homes across the state. Officials said the decision will benefit nearly 5.5 lakh ration card holders. Mann said the new depots would save people from travelling long distances or missing work to collect their monthly ration. He also said the licences had been allotted through an interview-based selection process and that representation for all sections of society had been ensured. Read Full Story Addressing a gathering in Mohali, Mann said, "The allotment has been made in a fair and transparent manner while ensuring representation for every section of society.
Out of the 2,800 new licences, 633 have been allotted to Scheduled Castes, 199 to Other Backward Classes, 181 to e servicemen, 39 to the families of freedom fighters, 156 to persons with disabilities and 17 to riot-affected families." He said the government had ensured equitable representation while issuing the licences. Mann said that under the Smart Ration Card Scheme, the state government was providing free wheat and 'Meri Rasoi' ration kits to 40 lakh families across Punjab. He said earlier governments had distributed ration depot licences on the basis of political recommendations, adding, "We have ended that practice by introducing an interview-based selection system to eliminate favouritism and ensure complete transparency." Targeting the Congress, Mann said the party was deeply divided and lacked any vision for Punjab.
He accused its leaders of fighting over a chair and said, "One day they project one leader, the next day another. Their politics revolves only around the chair. One of their own leaders has publicly admitted that it costs Rs 500 crore to become the chief minister in their party. The obvious question is, where will such money come from?" He added, "The money will be recovered from the people. When politics becomes so expensive, it is public welfare that suffers the most." Taking a swipe at Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, Mann said he remained "disconnected" from the realities of Punjab. "Sukhbir Singh Badal has spent his entire life surrounded by privilege and luxury.
He is unfamiliar with the ground realities of Punjab but still seeks to lead the state. Despite remaining in public life for years, the former deputy chief minister lacks even basic understanding of Punjab's geography and agriculture," he alleged. Mann also said attempts were now being made to defame him through politically motivated campaigns. The chief minister said the new ration depots would make access easier for lakhs of beneficiaries, while also asserting that the licences had been allotted through a transparent process with representation across sections of society. Ends
The BriefWire