On the occasion of Dr BR Ambedkar Jayanti and Gudi Padwa, the Maharashtra government announced its decision to distribute rations to poor farmers in the state.
The government took the decision during the state Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.
This decision will benefit nearly one crore and 63 lakh ration card holders. Earlier, the rations were distributed during Diwali. Gudi Padwa marks marks the Marathi new year.
The free-of-cost ration package will include a pack of 1 kg of rava, 1 kg of chana dal, 1 kg of sugar and 1 litre of palm oil on Gudi Padwa, which will be celebrated next month. These rations will be distributed physically at places where there is no e-POS system (electronic point of sale system).
As per the Antyodaya Food Scheme, and Pradhanya Kutumb Scheme, farmers under the below poverty line (BPL) and holding saffron ration cards will receive the package.
In total, 14 farmers’ suicide-prone districts, including Aurangabad, Amravati and Wardha districts of Nagpur division will be covered on priority.
In order to facilitate the scheme, the Maharashtra government has asked to float a tender within 15 days instead of 21 days through the online portal Maha tenders for the purchase of rationed commodities.
A budget of Rs 473. 58 crore, of which Rs 455. 94 crore for the purchase of rations and Rs 17.64 crore for other ancillary expenses were also approved at the rate of Rs 279 per pack of ration on Diwali in 2022.
