Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced that the state government will introduce doorstep delivery of foodgrains under the public distribution system (PDS) for elderly citizens and specially abled persons, Divyang, who are unable to collect their monthly ration from fair price shops.
Making the announcement through a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said the initiative aims to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is deprived of food security because of age, disability or mobility-related challenges. "For elderly citizens and Divyangjans who are unable to collect their ration, we will take Anna Sewa to their doorsteps.
Serving every deserving family is the essence of Jan Sewa and we remain resolute in fulfilling this commitment," CM Sarma said. The Chief Minister also tagged Assam Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Kaushik Rai in the post, indicating that the department will implement the new initiative.
The announcement comes as part of the Assam government's efforts to strengthen the delivery of welfare schemes and improve access to essential services for vulnerable sections of society. Officials said the doorstep ration delivery programme is intended to benefit elderly persons living alone, those with severe physical disabilities and other eligible beneficiaries who face difficulties in travelling to fair price shops to collect their monthly foodgrain quota.
The state government has been expanding welfare measures through technology-driven governance and beneficiary-centric initiatives to ensure the effective implementation of social security and food distribution programmes. The proposed initiative is expected to reduce hardship for thousands of eligible beneficiaries across both rural and urban areas by ensuring that subsidised foodgrains reach them at their doorstep.
The National Food Security Act (NFSA) provides subsidised foodgrains to eligible households through the public distribution system, with state governments responsible for ensuring timely distribution to beneficiaries.
With the latest announcement, Assam joins the growing list of states exploring doorstep delivery mechanisms to make welfare schemes more accessible, particularly for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, while reinforcing the government's focus on inclusive governance and food security.