Chandigarh:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday announced a major expansion of the state’s public distribution system, stating that nearly one million additional people will be brought under the ration card scheme. The announcement was made during a press briefing in Chandigarh following a meeting of the Punjab Cabinet, where the government also unveiled a series of measures aimed at making welfare delivery more transparent, inclusive and technology-driven.
Describing the initiative as a significant step towards ensuring food security for deserving families, the Chief Minister said the enrolment process would be conducted entirely through a digital system based on the principle of “No Cash, No Recommendations.” He asserted that the new mechanism has been designed to eliminate middlemen, political interference and discretionary practices that had, according to the government, characterised welfare delivery in previous years.
Mann said the objective is to ensure that every eligible family in Punjab receives its rightful entitlement without having to depend on political influence or personal connections. He remarked that while people earlier had to approach political leaders for even routine public services, the present government is working to establish a system driven by transparency, accountability and equal opportunity.
The Chief Minister also highlighted reforms in the state’s public distribution network, noting that approximately 2,800 new ration depot licences have been allotted through a transparent and merit-based process. He said the licences were awarded to eligible youth without favouritism, reflecting the government’s commitment to creating employment opportunities while strengthening the delivery of essential commodities across Punjab.
According to the government, priority in the expanded ration card programme will be given to economically weaker and socially vulnerable sections of society, including low-income families, senior citizens, widows, persons with disabilities and other deserving beneficiaries. The administration believes that the inclusion of these categories will make the food security system more equitable and ensure that welfare benefits reach those who need them most.
The Chief Minister further stated that nearly 3.2 million families are already covered under the state’s “Meri Rasoi” initiative, and the newly added ration card beneficiaries will also become eligible to receive the benefits available under the scheme. This, he said, will further strengthen the government’s efforts to provide nutritional and food security support to households across the state.
Alongside the welfare announcements, the Cabinet also finalised the schedule for the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly. Mann informed that the session will be held from August 3 to August 10, during which the government is expected to take up important legislative business and policy matters concerning the state’s development and governance.
The announcements underscore the Punjab government’s continuing emphasis on digitisation of public services, expansion of social welfare programmes and reforms intended to make government benefits more accessible through transparent administrative processes. By combining technology-driven governance with targeted welfare expansion, the government aims to improve service delivery while reinforcing public confidence in the state’s social protection mechanisms.
Web Generated News Report.