Continuing his commitment to community service through Anna Sewa se Jan Sewa, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma distributed ration cards to 7 lakh families statewide in a grand event at Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati. Sarma emphasized that these families across 50 assembly constituencies will collectively receive 35 lakh kilograms of rice, with immediate access to their December allotment of 5 kg per recipient. While typically, rice distribution occurs from the 1st to the 10th of each month, newly issued ration cardholders will have flexible collection dates for December.
The initiative will extend to the remaining constituencies on December 22. For the fiscal year 2023-24, Assam plans to distribute 20 lakh new ration cards, having already issued them to 6,52,215 individuals. By December 22, another 19,92,167 people across 76 constituencies will receive their cards.
Taking a swipe at the opposition, CM Sarma accused the previous Congress government of distributing approximately 60 lakh fake ration cards. As a novel step, families possessing ration cards can also avail themselves of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat and Mukhya Mantri Ayushman Bharat schemes, offering up to Rs 5 lakh in free medical treatment.
Additionally, these ration cardholders will gain access to the Orunodoy scheme benefits, a measure aimed at curbing fraudulent beneficiaries. “By linking the ration card with the Orunodoy scheme, only genuine cardholders will receive its benefits,” Sarma stated, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparency and effective welfare distribution.
This extensive distribution signifies the Assam government’s robust effort to ensure food security and healthcare accessibility for its citizens, marking a significant stride in enhancing public welfare.
