Last Updated: 05 July 2024
The packaged wheat is delivered at the doorsteps of the people with transparent mechanism since Launch on 10 Feb 2024[1]
-- Benefitting 1.54 crore crore beneficiaries in Punjab[2]
From July 2024, Punjab Govt announced that only wheat will be delivered as per feedback received from people[3]
Arvind Kejriwal's dream project as it'll revolutionize the decades old ration system with technology & innovation
“Centre stopped this scheme in Delhi, but you cannot stop an idea whose time has come. They did not let us do it in Delhi, we will do it in Punjab” - Arvind Kejriwal[4]
¶ Scheme Concept
The packaged wheat/atta is being delivered to the beneficiaries through Model Fair Price Shops at the doorsteps of the people with transparent mechanism
- Will plug huge leakages
- Fix quality issues for poor[5]
- Dignified way of receiving packaged food[6]
- Beneficiary not required to stand in Queue, NO Need to skip Daily Wage[6:1]
¶ Scheme Process
Govt officers will call beneficiaries to ask the timing and will deliver at their door step at that time. It is an optional scheme[7]
- Mandatory requirements of biometric verification, and handing over of printed weight slip will be ensured at delivery
- The delivery vans to be equipped with GPS system for timely delivery & tracking
- Sealed packets of either Atta or Wheat to be delivered at Door step of beneficiary
- Initially Atta was also included and Extra cost of Atta making, sealing & delivery to be born by state Govt
¶ Scheme Details[6:2]
- Aam Aadmi Ration Depots: Introducing the concept of setting up the Model Fair Price Shops under National Food Security Act (NFSA)
- 36 flour mills roped to grind wheat
- 4 Vendors selected to run the FPS & make Door Step delivery
- Sale of loose quantities, duly weighed, across the counter in Ration Depots to continue for beneficiaroes who prefer Depots
¶ Co-branding[2:1]
Earlier Central Government has withheld the funds of Punjab for the National Health Mission since October 2022 on the name of Branding dispute
Punjab Government is extra cautious this time
- Specifying 92% of the contribution in giving free ration is by the Government of India
- The packaging also has logos of the Swachh Bharat Mission and the NFSA
- Punjab Govt is claiming credit for only delivering ration on the doorstep
¶ Political & Legal Hurdles
- The scheme was earlier introduced in Delhi by the Kejriwal government, but was stalled by the Centre[10]
- Punjab Govt scheme was banned by Punjab High Court in its original form[11]
¶ Punjab Timeline[12]
28 Mar 2022: CM Bhagwant Mann annouced the scheme for Punjab
02 May 2022: Cabinet approves home delivery of 'atta' from 1 October 2022
22 Aug 2022: Govt was all set to start service from 02 Oct 2022
29 Sep 2022: Punjab HC stays the scheme on petition of Depot holders association[11:1]
17 Oct 2022: Punjab Govt admitted in HC that it would reframe the scheme
29 Jul 2023: Revised scheme approved by Cabinet
10 Feb 2024[1:1]: Launch
References:
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/partial-rollout-of-atta-on-doorstep-scheme-in-feb-585289 ↩︎ ↩︎
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/joint-branding-of-central-ration-to-reflect-aaps-doorstep-delivery-587363 ↩︎ ↩︎
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/not-flour-only-wheat-to-be-given-under-ghar-ghar-ration-scheme-punjab-cm-bhagwant-mann/articleshow/111376206.cms ↩︎
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/no-long-queues-punjab-rolls-out-doorstep-ration-delivery-scheme-381588 ↩︎
https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/doorstep-delivery-of-ration-in-delhi-from-march-says-arvind-kejriwal-2358024 ↩︎
https://www.babushahi.com/full-news.php?id=168650&headline=Punjab-Cabinet-approves-mechanism-for-delivery-of-Atta/Wheat-at-the-doorstep-of-beneficiaries ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/aap-doorstep-ration-delivery-in-punjab-after-delhi-mann-says-our-officers-101648447520623.html ↩︎
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/1-41-crore-beneficiaries-to-get-atta-on-doorstep-from-dec-562658 ↩︎
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/kejriwal-appeals-to-pm-modi-to-allow-doorstep-delivery-of-ration/article34743368.ece ↩︎
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/hc-stays-punjab-plan-for-ration-home-delivery/articleshow/94545540.cms ↩︎ ↩︎
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/punjab-govt-tells-hc-that-it-will-reframe-proposed-atta-home-delivery-scheme/articleshow/94924906.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst ↩︎
