Assam to ensure free food grains to over 2.5 crore people by 2025: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati (Assam) [India], September 29 (ANI): To secure nutritional coverage for over 70 per cent of its population, the Assam government has initiated a drive to bring the “previously excluded” people under the ambit of the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa stated that the entire process of inducting the new beneficiaries will be completed by November.

Sarma took to the social media platform X on Saturday to share this information.

“This initiative takes into account individuals previously excluded for not having Aadhaar, related to the issue of NRC biometric lock. All newly enlisted beneficiaries would be added to the Priority Household (PHH) category, ensuring that the most vulnerable receive essential support. The entire enrolment process is expected to conclude by November, further solidifying Assam’s commitment to food security,” Dr Sarma wrote in a post on X.

“A key highlight of this distribution effort is the introduction of Anna Sewa Din, a dedicated period from the 1st to the 10th of every month, earmarked specifically for the distribution of food grains. This innovative approach has led to numerous benefits, including timely disbursement, no pilferage, accurate record-keeping, and doorstep delivery for divyangjans,” he said.

Dr Sarma stated that with the addition of over 17 lakh new beneficiaries, alongside nearly 2 lakh beneficiaries previously deleted from the NRC and those under the state pool, Assam is set to ensure that over 2.5 crore people are entitled to free food grains by 2025. This initiative embodies the Antyodaya approach, focusing on serving the poor and marginalised sections of society.

The Government of Assam is committed to ensuring that every citizen has access to nutritious food, paving the way for a healthier and more equitable future for all, Chief Minister Sarma said.

It may be noted that in January 2024, the Assam government successfully enrolled over 42 lakh new beneficiaries, bringing the total number of eligible individuals to an impressive 2.31 crore under the National Food Security Act.

Notably, 98% of these beneficiaries receive their free food grains every month, underscoring the efficiency and commitment of the state’s food distribution system.

Assam Chief Minister Dr Sarma said that to ensure that no one is left behind, the Government of Assam has launched a comprehensive drive to enlist new beneficiaries across all 126 constituencies.