The Punjab government intensified its flagship ration kit distribution drive, MERI RASOI, to ensure nutritional security for vulnerable households; nearly 25.03 lakh families are already benefiting under the initiative. The drive aims to cover a total of 40.48 lakh eligible families across Punjab every quarter (i.e., every three months).
Guided by the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, the distribution under the flagship initiative is being carried out in mission mode.
Notably, each family will receive one ration kit carefully designed to meet essential dietary needs. It contains two kilograms of lentils, two kilograms of sugar, one kilogram of salt, 200 grams of turmeric powder, and one litre of mustard oil for monthly consumption.
These food kits are being provided in addition to the wheat already being distributed to eligible beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
The ration kits are assembled by the Markfed while the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department oversees the distribution network across the State.
Of the 25.03 lakh ration kits distributed so far, Ludhiana accounts for the maximum with 271,433; Patiala is second with 183,694; Bathinda is third with 152,020; Amritsar is fourth with 144,082; Sangrur is fifth with 142,444; and Fazilka is sixth with 139,759 ration kits.
As for the other districts Jalandhar has seen distribution of 134960 Ration Kits, Sri Muktsar Sahib 130362 Ration Kits, Tarn Taran 128228, Hoshiarpur 110962, Ferozepur 104069, Gurdaspur 102695, Mansa 88914, Moga 87984, Fatehgarh Sahib 80305, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar 75637, Faridkot 71896, Kapurthala 71785, Barnala 59667, Pathankot 70037, Barnala 64950, Roopnagar 56492, Malerkotla 47806, and in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar 42737 ration kits stand distributed.
The objective is to supplement the staple grain with essential proteins, cooking oil, and spices, thereby improving overall nutritional intake for families covered under the scheme.
The distribution is being monitored to ensure transparency, prevent duplication, and guarantee last-mile delivery. District administrations, the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, and local officials are coordinating to ensure the success of the novel measure.
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