The Arjun Munda Government’s ambitious, unique and much propagated scheme called Mukhyamantri Dal Bhaat Yojna has reached to the stage of deprivation, at least in Hazaribagh. The Dal bhat centre of Chouparan block is closed for last month due to non allotment of rice to the center.
This is not the situation Chouparan block’s center only. Centers of Keredari, Barkagaon, Katkamsandi, Ichak, Padma, Churchu, Barkhatha, Bishnugarh, Daru and Churchu have either been closed or are on the verge of closure due to non availability of subsidised rice.
DSO Xavier Herenj said that we didn’t receive the allotment of rice for the month of May due to which the centers are facing difficulty. He hoped that within a week the district will get allotment from the State and then we will be in a position to supply subsidised rice to the persons/Mahila Sangathans running these centers.
BDO Chouparan said, “We will investigate the matter why the center has not got rice and will try to restart it soon.” Dal Bhat centers across the state were opened to provide meal to the poor people at the price of Rs 5 while Hazaribagh district has 22 Dal bhat centers. Six of them are in the town area whereas 16 are in blocks of the district.
In the town area six centers were located at Bus stand, Matwari, Sadar hospital campus, Nutan Nagar, New Bus Stand and near collectorate office. The scheme became popular among the poor people especially the rickshaw pullers
But after sometime the quantity and quality of the food started deteriorating and the beneficiaries started to leave the centers.
The concerned authorities never tried to visit the centers to check the quality and quantity of the food. After the fall of Munda Government this scheme is now facing tough times.