40 lakh ration cards to be distributed before Durga Puja in Assam

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Before Durga Puja this year, the Assam Government has set a target of distributing ration cards among 40 lakh beneficiaries. To achieve this target and to enable more people to apply for the ration cards, the government has already increased the income limit for ration card holders under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) from Rs 2.50 lakh per annum to Rs 4 lakh.

Talking to The Sentinel, State Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass said, “The government had taken a decision to distribute 40 lakh ration cards under NFSA but due to some eligibility criteria, we could not fulfil the target. We have 30 lakh applications for ration cards which are being processed. Now that the annual income cap has been increased to Rs 4 lakh, eligible people can apply for ration cards. The application forms have been given. We are also looking at the possibility of issuing ration cards to government pension holders whose annual pension is less than Rs 4 lakh.”

He further said, “The department concerned has been directed to dispose of all applications for new ration cards within September. We intend to issue the 40 lakh ration cards before the festive season of Durga Puja.”

Notably, the issuance of ration cards had been kept in abeyance in Assam for the last couple of years.

On the other hand, Dass, who is also the State Panchayat and Rural Development Minister, chaired a review meeting of schemes under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 or MGNREGA today. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department and Commissionerate.

Later talking to media persons, Dass said, “In the last two years, under MGNREGA, 4,96,571 schemes have been completed in Assam. Of these, 2,64,424 schemes were completed in the financial year 2022-23 while the remaining 2,32,147 schemes have been completed in the current financial year (2023-24) till date.”

He further said that during the review meeting, officials were directed to complete all ongoing schemes under MGNREGA as soon as possible.

Also Read:  Meet held for inclusion of new names in ration cards

Also Watch: