Government to distribute 'ration coupons' among poor

Patna, Jul 5 (UNI) In an attempt to check the large scale diversion of food grains meant for distribution among poor through public distribution system, state government has decided to introduce Ration Coupon Scheme(RCS) in Bihar.

Official sources said today that the scheme was radical departure from the past in the sense that coupons would be used in place of cash to lift the food grains meant for poor.

''The date to launch the scheme is yet to be decided and coupons will be printed at the district level under the supervision of the district magistrate,'' the sources said adding the scheme had already been approved by the state cabinet.

Under the scheme, families covered under the Annapurna programme, Antyodya Anna and Below Poverty Line(BPL) will get coupons for the entire year. Annapurna Scheme beneficiaries will get four coupns every year and against each of which they will get 30 Kgs of food grains every quarter at the rate of 6 Kgs of Wheat and 4 Kgs of rice per month.

Similarly the beneficiaries of Antyodya scheme will get 12 coupons every year against on each of which they will get 420 kgs of food grains from Public Distribution System outlets. The food grains to be distributed would be at the rate of 14 kg of rice and 21 kg of wheat per month.

The district magistrates will supervise and monitor the execution of the schemes. The non-transferable coupons will be provided free of cost initially, but in case of loss, it will be replaced on payment of Rs 10.

Beneficiaries will be able to lift the requisite quantity of food grains on submission of signed or thumb marked coupons to their respective PDS dealers. The dealers would in turn now have to produce the coupons along with an integrated report of total supply at the time of procuring fresh stocks. They will get fresh supplies on the basis of supply in the previous month.

UNI XC RS BA SS1229