After considerably successful implementation of Mukhyamantri Dal-Bhat Yojna, the government has okayed to take it to the next level with launching mobile dal-bhat vans in the State soon.
According to a Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Department notification released today, the mobile vans containing Dal-Bhat and one vegetable for one time meal of 300 people at a rate of `5 each would be run in districts for those daily labourers and other under-privileged people, who found Mukhyamantri Dal-Bhat Yojna Kendras established so far beyond their walk.
As per notification, the mobile vans would be operated from district headquarters of Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Dumka and Palamu to start with in the first phase. The plan would be replicated in other districts and rural areas of the state in later stages as per demand. Ranchi, Dhanbad and Jamshedpur will have two each and Dumka and Palamu one each van to kick off the plan.
The van, which will cost `500 every day to the exchequer, including all major expenses, will be run by a private operator at their own expense on daily basis.
The expenses would be subject to reimbursement against actual expenses proven beyond doubt, subject to verification at various levels. Operators would be provided 60 kg of rice every day at a cost of `1/Kg and 3.5 kg nutria-nugget absolutely free. However, they will have to arrange other ingredients including pulses by themselves.
The department said through the notification that the vans would be run by Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) elected through transparent ways by the district administration. Department Minister Saryu Roy had already divulged some of the provisions of the plan at a number of fora in recent past. He had said that the van would reach out to the hands of daily wage labourers, masons, rickshaw pullers, coolies, carpenters and likewise, along with those who were unable to earn their daily bread and butter.
The notification said that the plate would contain 200g of rice, pulse and nutri-nagget/gram vegetable in appropriate proportion one time every day.
The time, distance to be covered and route of mobile van kitchen would be decided by DCs, who have been assigned as nodal officers for successful operation of the vans.
The department will also have records, including name, address and signature of beneficiaries, after serving them meal on daily basis.
The department has, in its notification, strictly forbidden van operators for selling anything other than what remains assigned by the department. A team of Additional Collector (Supply), SDO, Civil Surgeon and a couple of other officials would keep tab on quantity of meal and cleanliness of vans.