Punjab News: Government Initiates Home Delivery of Wheat to 1.41 Crore Beneficiaries

The Punjab state government is gearing up to introduce home delivery of wheat or atta (flour) to 1.41 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Safety Act starting December. The soft launch is scheduled for Gurpurb on November 27, with 400 new model fair price shops (FPS) set to initiate door-to-door distribution by November 30. An additional 400 FPS are slated to be operational next month, constructed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and facilitated by Markfed.

Distribution Network and Infrastructure:
To facilitate the scheme, a total of 2,700 FPS will be established, complementing the existing 12,000 FPS in the state. The state government encourages existing shops to upgrade their infrastructure and join the initiative. The aim is to enhance accessibility and convenience for beneficiaries.

Key Players and Collaborations:
The state government has collaborated with 36 flour mills for wheat grinding. Four vendors have been selected to operate the FPS and oversee the doorstep distribution of atta or wheat to beneficiaries. The distribution zones are categorized into Majha, Doaba (including Ludhiana in Malwa), Malwa 1, and Malwa 2. Among the vendors, Kendriya Bhandar is notable.

Implementation Timeline:
The soft launch on November 27 will mark the beginning of the initiative, with the gradual establishment of FPS ensuring widespread coverage. The state is taking proactive steps to roll out the scheme and enhance food security for the designated beneficiaries.

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