u-khand-govt-launches-dbt-system-for-free-gas-refill-scheme

The Uttarakhand government has announced that under the Chief Minister Antyodaya Free Gas Refill Scheme, the cost of LPG cylinder refills will now be directly transferred to the bank accounts of eligible families through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

 

To make sure this amount is used only for gas refills, the Food and Civil Supplies Department will put mechanisms in place to restrict its usage for other purposes.

 

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), 1.84 lakh Antyodaya cardholder families in the state are part of this scheme, benefiting nearly 10 lakh people. Uttarakhand is the first state in India to implement such a scheme.

 

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while reviewing the Food Department at the Secretariat on Thursday, directed officials to ensure 100 per cent benefit reaches Antyodaya cardholders.

 

He also told the officials that beneficiary data should be updated under the National Food Security Act, especially to ensure that senior citizens and others don’t miss out on ration due to biometric issues. In such cases, offline or alternative systems should be used.

 

He further asked for a review of the current storage capacity of foodgrain storage and condition of state godowns, with steps for safe and protected storage facilities. The Chief Minister stressed effective implementation of the One Nation One Ration Card scheme to ensure people can collect their ration from anywhere without trouble.

 

Officials were instructed to closely monitor real-time data on the e-Purti portal. "Aadhar seeding and mobile OTP-based distribution systems should be strengthened. Fake ration cards should be identified, and action should be taken against those responsible. Dealers and officials who are negligent or irregular should be suspended immediately," the CM said as per the CMO.

 

"Complete ration should be made available to all cardholders on time every month. Solid arrangements for pre-stocking should be ensured in remote and mountainous areas. The condition of state godowns should be reviewed, and modernisation and expansion should be done as per the need," he added.

 

He directed that a buffer stock plan be made for every district, and that foodgrains be supplied on time to mid-day meal and Anganwadi centres. Complaints on the food grievance system should be resolved quickly, he added.