Free Ration Scheme: Cornerstone of CM Yogi’s vision for success in 2024 Lok Sabha elections
3.60 crore ration card holders benefitting from the scheme in the state
By Our Correspondent
Lucknow: In the backdrop of challenging times, transparent efforts to extend the benefits of the free ration scheme to the people will stand as a cornerstone in realizing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s ambitious resolution of ‘Mission 80’ in Lok Sabha elections 2024.
With 3.60 crore ration card holders and their families set to cast their votes in the upcoming elections, the state’s commitment to transparent governance is poised to resonate positively with the electorate, fostering confidence in the double-engine government and sparking a search for the lotus symbol on the EVMs.
Amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proactive measures to provide free rations offered immense relief to the nation’s underprivileged. Under the steadfast guidance of PM Modi and the leadership of CM Yogi, Uttar Pradesh witnessed the expansive execution of this scheme, benefiting a staggering 15 crore individuals.
Notably, the scheme, which played a pivotal role in the 2022 assembly elections by garnering significant support for CM Yogi, is poised to once again sway the electorate in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Benefits of the scheme reached every eligible person
Prime Minister Modi has set a target of 400 seats for the NDA this time. In this regard, CM Yogi has also pledged to fulfill PM Modi’s goal by winning 80 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. In this process, the focus is on the beneficiary class. These are the same beneficiaries who have been provided with rations with complete transparency. Those who already had ration cards were immediately provided with the benefits of the scheme, while new cards were issued to other eligible individuals based on priority.
By November 28, 2023, there were a total of 3.60 crore cardholders in Uttar Pradesh, through which a total of 15.06 crore people were benefiting from free rations. This includes 40.87 lakh Antyodaya cardholders (a total of 1.32 crore units) and 3.19 crore eligible household cardholders (a total of 13.73 crore units). Moreover, between January 2023 and November 2023, 547,652 new cardholders have also been added.
Focus on transparent distribution
The government has paid special attention to transparency in ration distribution to ensure that no eligible person is left out. For this purpose, distribution is arranged through e-POS machines. Distribution through e-POS machines ensures up to 94.68 percent allocation compliance. Installation of e-POS machines is being ensured in all 79,138 eligible fair price shops in rural and urban areas.
Furthermore, Aadhaar feeding of 99.93 percent of ration cardholders’ heads and 99.94 percent Aadhaar seeding of ration cards has been completed. Additionally, Aadhaar feeding of units present in ration cards has been done up to 99.26 percent, and Aadhaar seeding up to 99.55 percent has been achieved. Distribution has been ensured through Aadhaar authentication by October 2023 which is 99.82 percent.
Benefit extended to people from other states
The state has also ensured the implementation of the One Nation One Ration Card scheme. Under this, from May 2020 to October 2023, 43,392 cardholders from other states have received free ration in the state. On the other hand, the process for Uttar Pradesh’s 34,83,906 cardholders to receive ration in other states has been successfully advanced.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the state government issued a total of 34.58 lakh new ration cards from April 2020 to October 2022. Additionally, under the Prime Minister’s Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, from May 2021 to October 2022, 126.88 million tons of food grains were distributed, and ration cards were issued to 14,94,593 Divyangjans under the NFSA. Moreover, ration was delivered to 9829 disabled ration cardholders at their doorstep.
