In a major push to strengthen food security and ensure welfare reaches every deserving household without corruption or favouritism, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday announced that the state government will issue 10 lakh new ration cards under a transparent, technology-driven system based on the principle of ‘No Cash, No Farmaish’.
Applications for new ration cards and inclusion of new family members will begin from July 22, with priority being given to vulnerable sections of society. Of the total beneficiaries, 7 lakh ration cards will be issued to newly eligible families, while 3 lakh e-Shram and migrant workers will be brought under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Every new beneficiary will receive 5 kg of wheat along with the Meri Rasoi Nutrition Kit, further strengthening food and nutritional security across the state.Addressing a press conference, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Transparent Ration Card Inclusion Drive is being conducted on the twin principles of ‘No Cash, No Farmaish’.
“Punjab is adding 10 lakh new eligible beneficiaries to the ration card system, making this one of the largest food security inclusion drives in recent years. Of these, around 3 lakh e-Shram and migrant workers will be covered under the National Food Security Act, while another 7 lakh eligible beneficiaries will be brought under the scheme through fresh applications and inclusion of new members in existing ration cards,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has ensured that the process remains free from corruption and political influence. “Everyone knows that government jobs in Punjab are no longer given on the basis of cash or recommendations.
Likewise, ration cards will no longer depend on recommendations, middlemen or bribes. Every applicant will be assessed through the same transparent and digital process, ensuring that every deserving family gets a fair opportunity,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the application process has been made simple and citizen-friendly. “People can apply online, at Seva Kendras, Common Service Centres (CSCs) or District Food Offices. Every applicant will receive an SMS acknowledgement and will be able to track the status of the application. The application link is also available on the homepage of the Food Department’s website,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The Chief Minister said that the entire system has been overhauled to ensure complete transparency in the issuance of ration cards. “Earlier, manual verification and discretionary decision-making often resulted in corruption and genuine beneficiaries being left out. Now, digital verification, online tracking, a points-based assessment system and complete transparency will ensure that only deserving families are included,” he affirmed.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Technology will play a key role in ensuring accountability. Every application will undergo physical household verification, geo-tagged and time-stamped inspections, along with API-based verification through government databases. Every approval or rejection will have a complete digital audit trail, making the entire process transparent and accountable.”
The Chief Minister said that the state government has adopted an objective system to prioritise the most vulnerable sections of society. “Eligible applicants will be prioritised through a transparent points-based system. Greater weightage will be given to widows, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, families living below the poverty line, families with serious illnesses, poor housing conditions and low incomes,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The Chief Minister said that the initiative will strengthen both food security and nutrition for beneficiaries. “Every newly eligible beneficiary will receive 5 kg of wheat along with the Meri Rasoi Nutrition Kit. As many as 32 lakh families are already benefiting under the Meri Rasoi Scheme.
Our commitment is simple: every deserving family should receive its rightful entitlement without paying money or seeking recommendations,” he said.Taking a dig at previous governments, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the welfare system had earlier been driven by political patronage instead of public interest.
“Previous governments issued ration cards only to their own supporters. Our government has replaced favouritism with transparency. Technology will ensure that welfare reaches the right people fairly, honestly and without discrimination,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.