Guwahati, 19 September 19 (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a new ration card scheme on Thursday in alignment with the 2013 food secuirty aim of the Central Government.

The National Food Security Act, 2013 was implemented with the aim of ensuring food security of the people of the country. At the time of implementation of the Food Security Act, a target was set by the Central Government for the beneficiaries of Assam. This target was given according to the 2011 census. Therefore, about 19,92,167 new beneficiaries in Assam were still to be covered under the Food Security Act. On Thursday the Chief Minister inaugurated the scheme to distribute new ration cards to the remaining beneficiaries.

The Assam government has succeeded in including 42,85,745 new beneficiaries under the Food Security Act across the state in January this year and issued ration cards to 10,73,489 new families in January last. Other new beneficiaries will be selected and new ration cards will be issued to their families from Thursday.

Currently, free rice is being provided to all the beneficiaries under this scheme across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Free rice is being supplied to more than 80 crore people across the country at this time. In Assam, currently 2,31,97,608 beneficiaries are receiving free rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The scheme currently covers 66,86,845 families. Of these, 6,72,024 are Antyodaya Anna Yojana receiving families and 60,14,821 are priority families.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash