Ration coupon for the poor from February

Gaya, Jan 12: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said ration coupons will be distributed among the poor enabling them to get foodgrain under various welfare schemes of the government.

After holding his first Janta Darbar in Gaya district yesterday, Mr Kumar told reporters here that distribution of foodgrains among the poor would be made through ration coupons with a view to remove the chances of malpractices in existing public distribution systems.

''The maximum number of grievances in the Janta Darbar were about police excesses while irregularities in issuance of appointment letters to the teachers in the on going massive recruitment drive was the other area of concern faced by the people,'' he added.

Mr Kumar said the decision to hold Janta darbar at district headquarters was taken to settle the problems of the people at their door step itself, so that most of the sufferers did not spend money to reach Patna to express their grievances before him.

''I have issued necessary directions to the authorities on the grievances received from the sufferers which would be attended expeditiously,'' he assured.

A French woman Jeny Peri, who runs an NGO here, met Mr Kumar in the Janata Darbar and sought security for herself.

UNI