In a major step towards strengthening Punjab’s public distribution system and making essential food supplies more accessible, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday handed over licences to 2,800 new ration depot holders, ensuring that ration reaches closer to people’s homes across the state. The move will benefit nearly 5.5 lakh ration card holders, who will no longer have to travel long distances or leave work to collect their monthly ration.
Marking a transparent and inclusive departure from the past, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government allotted the new depots through an interview-based selection process while ensuring representation for all sections of society, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), ex-servicemen, freedom fighters, persons with disabilities and riot-affected families. Addressing the newly appointed depot holders at a programme held at Vikas Bhawan in Mohali, the Chief Minister described the licences as a sacred responsibility to serve the people with honesty, fairness and compassion.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the opening of new ration depots will spare nearly 5.5 lakh ration card holders from travelling long distances or leaving work to stand in long queues for their monthly ration. He said the government has ensured equitable representation of all sections of society while issuing licences to the new ration depot holders. “The allotment has been made in a fair and transparent manner while ensuring representation for every section of society. Out of the 2,800 new licences, 633 have been allotted to Scheduled Castes, 199 to Other Backward Classes, 181 to Ex-servicemen, 39 to the families of Freedom Fighters, 156 to Persons with Disabilities and 17 to Riot-Affected Families,” he said.
Highlighting his government’s commitment to food security, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that under the Smart Ration Card Scheme, the state government is providing free wheat and Meri Rasoi ration kits to 40 lakh families across Punjab. “The earlier governments distributed ration depot licences on the basis of political recommendations. We have ended that practice by introducing an interview-based selection system to eliminate favouritism and ensure complete transparency,” he said.
Congratulating the newly selected depot holders and their families, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the licences have opened a new avenue of livelihood for thousands of families besides providing them an opportunity to serve society. “Today, 2,800 depot holders are receiving their licences under the new depot allotment policy. This is not merely a licence but an opportunity to earn a livelihood while serving the people. You will act as a vital bridge between the government and the people, and I consider it a blessing that you have been entrusted with this responsibility,” he said.
Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak and several other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.Sharing a few snippets from the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today in Mohali, we handed over licences to 2,800 new depot holders, opening up a new source of livelihood for thousands of families. This is not just a licence, but a sacred responsibility to serve the people.”