BIHAR Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday launched a coupon system aimed at checking malpractice and encouraging better service at ration shops distributing essentials to below poverty line (BPL) families.
Corruption and malpractice are rampant in the public distribution system (PDS) in Bihar: ration-card holders are often turned away from fair-price shops they are assigned to and large quantities of grain and kerosene meant for the poor get sold in the open market.
With coupons, beneficiaries can go to another fair-price shop if they are turned away at one. Every month each BPL family is entitled for 10 kg wheat, 25 kg rice and five litres of kerosene.
Bihar is the first state to introduce this scheme. Nitish Kumar had spoken of the scheme at The Idea Exchange, an interaction with The Indian Express staff, in December. Of the shortcomings in the PDS, he had said: "For example, kerosene is a necessity for people in our state but most often it gets black-marketed. Now coupons will be issued and people will get kerosene against the coupons." Launching the scheme at the Jamaluddin Panchayat in Patna district on Republic Day, he said: "It is not a simple coupon but a powerful weapon in the hands of the poor. This will empower the poor and stop black-marketing." Other ministers launched the scheme in other districts of the state.
Click on "Full Story" for more...
