The State Government has found a new way of continuing Mukhyamantri Dal Bhat Yojna by procuring rice from local bodies. After the Central Government’s inability to supply rice for the scheme last year, Food and Civil Supply department has decided to approach Krishi Utpadan Bazaar Samitis across the State to get the required volume of grains for the scheme.
“Prior to the elections, we had sent a letter to all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) for connecting with the local Bazaar Samiti in order to procure rice for the Dal-Bhat Yojna centres. This will help in continuing the programme benefiting the poor people,” Food and Civil Supplies Department Special Secretary Ravi Ranjan said.
“We had to look for the options since government denied providing rice from Food Corporation of India,” said an official of the department. But, the notice seems to have been overlooked by many of the the state and district level officers due to elections. Ranchi DC Vinay Chaubey and Jamshedpur DC Amitabh Kaushal said they have to confirm the ‘letter’ from their officials. On the other hand, Deoghar DC Ameet Kumar and Simdega DC Diprava lakra said that they have not yet received any such notice.
Under the ambitious scheme, one time meal is provided at a rate of Rs 5. There used to be seven centres for serving the meal within the state capital itself. But, all have been closed since April when centre denied supplying the subsidised rice. Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda had introduced the scheme named ‘Mukhyamantri Dal Bhat Yojna’ for the poor on August 15, 2011. The scheme was very popular among poor people, who were able to get meals including rice, pulses and vegetable at railway stations, hospitals, bus stops and other public places.