Chandigarh, August 4– Haryana will organize the Annapurna Diwas at all Ration Depots in Haryana on August 18 and August 19. Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), 5-kg wheat per person will be given to the eligible families during the festival. Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal today gave necessary directions to the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) with regard to the preparation for the Annapurna Diwas through video conference. He also gave instructions to adhere to the Covid protocol.

The Chief Minister said that in view of the Covid pandemic, Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi had started giving ration to poor families under PMGKY last year so that no one remains hungry. He said that the Prime Minister believes that that no one should face any food crisis. Thus, under the Scheme, ration will be given to all the eligible families by the month of November. He said that due to Covid many families had to face crisis and there was also a situation of despair and depression. Keeping this in mind, this time it has been decided to make arrangements for distribution of ration in a cheerful and festive atmosphere.

Ration will be given in 5-kg and 10-kg bags

Ration will be distributed in 5-kg and 10-kg bags during Annapurna Diwas. There are about 10,000 ration depots across the State. During this, ration will be given to the eligible families in about 68 lakh bags. These include 55 lakh bags weighing 10 kg and about 13 lakh bags weighing 5 kg. Annapurna Diwas will be celebrated for two days at all the Depots.

Nodal officer will be present at every depot

The Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioners to appoint nodal officers at every Ration Depot so that the ration distribution could be monitored properly. He said that the nodal officers would be always present at the depot on both the days during the festival. Along with this, he also suggested the officers concerned to take assistance of public representatives and social workers when required.

Migrant Ration Card Holders will also be able to take ration

The Chief Minister said that Haryana is implementing the One Nation, One Card Scheme. Under the One Nation, One Card Scheme, eligible migrant ration card holders living in the state will also be able to take ration during this festival. The ration will be given to such ration card holder migrants (from other states) after biometric verification. Keeping in view the number of ration card holders of other states living in various districts of the State, the Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioners to make additional arrangements as per the requirement.

Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh. Vijai Vardhan, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Dhesi, Additional Chief Secretary, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar, Additional Principal Secretary, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Deputy Principal Secretary, Smt. Ashima Brar and other senior officers were present on the occasion.