Government at the doorstep of the poor: Minister

Jhansi: Minister for food and civil supplies Manoj Kumar Pandey said the government is committed to reaching the poor and ensuring that welfare schemes benefit every eligible citizen.Addressing a beneficiary conference and ‘Jan Chaupal’ organized at Raksa Gram Panchayat in Babina block of Sadar tehsil on Saturday evening, the minister said that the primary objective of ‘Jan Chaupal’ and public interaction programmes is to make government welfare schemes more effective and accessible to the people.He said that free food grains have been distributed to nearly 80 crore people since the COVID-19 pandemic, helping families secure their livelihoods and ensuring adequate nutrition. He added that around 16 crore beneficiaries in the state are receiving free foodgrain through the food and civil supplies department.Emphasizing the government’s commitment to social welfare, Pandey said that eligible families are being provided benefits under various schemes, including housing, drinking water supply, toilets and pensions. He also informed beneficiaries that Annapurna Bhawans have been established to ensure a clean and convenient foodgrain distribution system for ration card holders. Fair price shop dealers have also been directed to arrange safe drinking water for consumers during the summer season, he said.During the conference, the minister interacted with beneficiaries and provided information about key welfare programmes, including the National Food Security Scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Beneficiaries also shared their experiences, stating that the introduction of e-weighing linked POS machines has ensured they receive their full entitlement of free food grains, which has significantly improved their livelihood and family health.Beneficiaries of the Ujjwala scheme said that earlier they had to cook on traditional wood-fired stoves, which adversely affected their health. The availability of LPG connections under the scheme has improved their quality of life and reduced health risks.On the occasion, the minister distributed ration cards and LPG connections to 10 eligible families.