The Food and Supply Department of the Delhi Government has provided grains to over 3 lakh poor who had no ration cards to help them tide over the lockdown.
The department of food and supplies is making all out efforts towards meeting the food requirements of the poor and vulnerable sections of the city. The department, in a statement, said that the distribution was started on April 7. Besides, steps were also taken to provide ration to the PDS (public distribution system) cardholders.
In Delhi, the Public Distribution System (PDS) caters to 17.50 lakh households covering 71,08,074 beneficiaries including 68,609 Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households with 2,78,926 beneficiaries. The usual monthly quota of food grains under ‘National Food Security Act’ (NFSA) is 5 kg including 4 kg of wheat and 1 kg of rice, it said.
However, recognising the need of the hour and the restrictions in mobility of people due to imposition of lockdown, the Delhi Government has provided 7.5 kgs of food grains (including 6 kgs of wheat and 1.5 kgs of rice) free of cost, it added.
The department further said that the distribution of food grains for the month of April started in advance from 28th March, 2020 onwards through network of 2017 Fair Price Shops.
“Almost 100 per cent of the entitled allocation has been delivered most of which has been distributed. This has provided much needed relief to the people particularly those from the disadvantaged and vulnerable sections,” it said.
It further said that after realising that there may be a significant number of people who may be in need of food during these difficult times and who may not be covered by the PDS, the government launched a relief initiative for providing 4 kgs of wheat and 1kg of rice to all those who are in need of food free of cost.
“The initiative is based on self selection criteria where any person in need of food can apply through an online link of Janta Samvad - ration.jantasamvad.org/ration,” it said, adding that the only document required is that the person should be in possession of an aadhaar number issued from anywhere in the country.
In order to optimally utilise available resources, 374 schools of Directorate of Education, municipal Corporations and New Delhi Municipal Council have been designated as Distribution centers under the above relief initiative. T
he programme was launched on the 7th of April and till date over 3 lakh beneficiaries have been provided food grains.
To inform and educate the targeted beneficiaries regarding their entitlements multimedia publicity through SMS, Radio Jingle, flex banners etc. is being undertaken on a regular basis.
The department is making all out efforts to ensure the smooth and timely delivery and distribution of food grains to the beneficiaries despite severe shortages of labour and availability of trucks and other logistics constrains due to the ongoing lockdown.
“Civil defence volunteers have been deployed at the Fair Price Shops to ensure social distancing norms and orderly distribution of food grains,” it said, adding that the departmental officials including assistant commissioners, food supply officers and food supply inspectors have also been deployed in the field round the clock to facilitate the distribution of food grains.
“All Department Officials and the distribution team of fair price shops and schools are working seven days a week without any weekly off. The Members of vigilance committee are actively monitoring the distribution process. The Deputy Chief Minister, Minister Food and Supplies and the area MLAs are inspecting the distribution centres to motivate the staff and to ensure smooth distribution,” it added.