Government lauds Punjab for implementing Food Act in its true spirit

NEW DELHI: The Centre today lauded Punjab for implementing the Food Security Act in its true spirit and said the state had the potential to be a torchbearer for other states in effective and systematic implementation of the law.

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan said Punjab has ensured doorstep delivery to beneficiaries even in the remotest villages.

According to a statement by the Punjab government, the minister said the state has understood the basic spirit of the Act and has the potential to become a torchbearer to guide other states for its effective and systematic implementation.

He said online and systematic monitoring of the Act, linking the beneficiaries with Aadhaar cards and ensuring 100 per cent quality control has put Punjab on a higher pedestal amongst other states.

According to a government spokesperson, it was due to the state's aggressive persuasion that 11 per cent coverage of population eligible for receiving subsidised food grains, which was much lower than neighboring states, with the same socio-economic pattern has increased manifold.

Punjab has claimed itself to be the first state in the country to have initiated e-ration cards to beneficiaries in order to ensure that only genuine/deserving beneficiaries get subsidised ration, he said.