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Kolkata, Oct 16 (IANS) On the occasion of World Food Day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee detailed the initiatives taken by her government to ensure food security for every person in the state and said free ration was provided to more than seven crore people every month.
In a social media post on Thursday morning, the Chief Minister had claimed that under the state-run ‘Khadyasathi’ project, free ration is provided to about 9 crore people in the state.
“Of these, every month, 7,50,00,000 people in the state are getting free ration at their doorstep through the ‘Door Ration’ initiative. The remaining beneficiaries are picking up food grains from the ration shops of their choice,” the Chief Minister claimed.
Also, he said, during festivals like Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Chhath Puja and the month of Ramzan as well as Eid celebrations, the poorest families are provided sugar, flour and gram (only during Ramzan) at subsidized prices.
He had also claimed that under another project called ‘Maa’, his government is providing lunch to poor people at a subsidized rate of just Rs 5. “8,58,00,000 people have benefited through 356 ‘Maa Canteens’,” the Chief Minister said.
He had also claimed that his government procured a record 56.33 lakh tonnes of paddy directly from 16.50 lakh farmers for the ‘Khadyasathi’ project this year and ensured fair prices.
Also, he said, the state government has opened 745 fair price shops under the ‘Sufal Bangla’ brand, where vegetables and fruits are provided to the poor at prices much lower than market rates.
“Now, fish is also being sold at affordable prices in Sufal Bangla. For the convenience of the people, the number of these shops is being increased significantly. Our comprehensive efforts to uphold the right to food for all will continue in the days to come,” the Chief Minister claimed.
–IANS
source/svn