Providing a major succor to needy people during the curfew/ lockdown period in wake of Covid 19 pandemic, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has covered more than 85% of the 2.41 lakh smart card holder families in the district by distributing them free wheat and pulses for three months, in single go, through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojna (PMGKAY). Divulging the details, the Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma said that on the directions of the Chief Minister and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Mr. Bharat Bhushan Ashu, the district administration was on verge of completing this mammoth drive to give relief to 9.26 lakh eligible beneficiaries in the prevailing scenario due to the spread of Covid 19. He said that in past one month the Sub Divisional Magistrates along with District Food and Supplies Controller Mr. Narinder Singh had been continuing this drive to benefit the needy strata of the society. Mr. Sharma said that the teams formulated by the administration to complete this gigantic exercise in a foolproof manner produced desired results and till around two lakh smart card holder families have been covered whereas the remaining ones would also be covered soon.Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner said that in wake of outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic, the government had decided to give 5 kilogram of wheat per beneficiary per month for three months and one kilogram pulses per family per month for three months. Mr. Sharma said that free distribution of Wheat @ 15 Kg per member of family and Daal @ 3kg only for full family (irrespective of number of family members) was ensured depot holders of food department to all smart card holders. He said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh was committed to ensure that no person, especially any poor family, suffers on account of non-availability of food grains due to lockdown.The Deputy Commissioner said that regularly monitoring of the entre process was conducted through the various agencies so that proper distribution of ration takes place. He said that qualitative and quantitative check on depot holders was ensured with zero tolerance towards any malpractice adding that no use of thumb machine was made due to Corona Virus.