Patna, November 2026: Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary today inaugurated the distribution programme for newly issued ration cards and licences for fair price shops, organised by the Food and Consumer Protection Department at Gyan Bhawan.
The Chief Minister distributed ration cards to 23.75 lakh new beneficiaries and licences for 1,448 new Public Distribution System (PDS) shops. He also symbolically handed over new ration cards to some beneficiaries.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said it was a matter of pride that ration cards had been distributed to 23.75 lakh new beneficiaries and licences issued for 1,448 new PDS shops. He extended his congratulations and best wishes to all the beneficiaries.
He said the state government's resolve was to ensure that no poor person in Bihar remained hungry and that no eligible family was deprived of the benefits of government schemes. Bringing happiness into the lives of poor people and providing them opportunities to live with dignity were the government's highest priorities.
He said that only when happiness came into people's lives would the vision of a developed India of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a prosperous Bihar of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be realised.
The Chief Minister said the state government had taken important steps to ensure food security for poor and needy families. So far, 23.75 lakh new ration cards had been issued in the state, and 1,448 new Public Distribution System (PDS) shops had been opened.
At present, Bihar has a total of 2.09 crore ration cards, benefiting approximately 8.46 crore people. The Food and Consumer Protection Department had been given the target of adding one crore new people to the ration card system. So far, approximately 24 lakh people had been added under this initiative.
He said that families who were still eligible but had not received ration cards should apply. The government would ensure that all eligible applicants received their new ration cards within 30 days of submitting their applications.
The Chief Minister said ration cards were being issued to ensure food security for poor people. At the same time, poor families were being linked to Ayushman Bharat to provide health security. Several other important public welfare schemes were also being implemented for the poor.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making arrangements to provide free food grains to poor families. He said the state government was continuously working to improve the standard of living of the poor.
Free electricity of 125 units was being provided to every household in Bihar. The government's main objective was to serve the poor and fulfil their basic needs.
Referring to the Panchayat Day programme, the Chief Minister said that the event was organised on the last Sunday of every month. He appealed to all public representatives and officials to launch campaigns to identify eligible people who had been left out of the ration card system and take initiatives to include their names.
He said that under the 'Seva Sankalp Evam Kayakalp Abhiyan', work was being undertaken to address all essential requirements in rural areas. These included improving health centres, schools, Anganwadi centres, community buildings, Chhath ghats and other basic facilities.
He said needy people should be identified at the panchayat level itself and linked with all government welfare schemes. Projects worth ₹22,000 crore were being implemented to improve village conditions and develop rural infrastructure.
One Crore People to Get Government Jobs and Employment in Five Years
Speaking about employment and industrial development, the Chief Minister said work was under way to achieve the target of providing government jobs and employment to one crore people over the next five years.
Industries were being encouraged in the state so that industrial activities could expand and new employment opportunities could be created for young people.
The government was committed to developing a system by 2030 under which people from Bihar would not have to travel to other states in search of employment. Young people would be provided opportunities for respectable employment and a better future within their own state, he said.
Discussing the interests of farmers, the Chief Minister said the state government had requested the Central Government to increase the paddy procurement target to 50 lakh metric tonnes so that a larger number of farmers could receive fair prices for their produce.
Referring to facilities for senior citizens, he said arrangements were already in place to enable people above 80 years of age to register their land and property at their homes.
In the same direction, from next year, arrangements would be made to deliver food grains (ration) directly to the homes of ration cardholders above 75 years of age. This would ensure that elderly people did not have to face unnecessary difficulties in collecting their ration.
The Chief Minister also appealed to media representatives to actively participate in this campaign. He said information about the scheme should reach eligible families who had not yet been able to obtain ration cards.
With the cooperation of all sections of society, it could be ensured that no needy family was deprived of its right to food security, he said.
He reiterated that serving the poor and ensuring their welfare was the government's fundamental commitment. The government's priority was to ensure that every eligible family received the benefits of public welfare schemes, needy people received food security, senior citizens were provided special facilities and the youth of Bihar found adequate employment opportunities within the state.
The state government was continuously working with the resolve that no poor person in Bihar should remain hungry. The government was concerned about the welfare of every poor person.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had always remained concerned about the welfare of the poor, and the government was following the same approach. Everyone wanted the poor to receive their rightful entitlements and make progress, he added.
During the programme, a short film based on the activities of the Food and Consumer Protection Department was screened.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Food and Consumer Protection Minister Ashok Choudhary and Department Secretary Abhay Kumar Singh also addressed the programme.
The Chief Minister's Secretary, Sanjay Kumar Singh, along with other senior officials and beneficiaries, was present on the occasion. District Magistrates and beneficiaries from all districts also joined the programme through video conferencing.
Key Highlights
23.75 lakh new beneficiaries received ration cards.
1,448 new PDS shops received licences.
Bihar currently has 2.09 crore ration cards, benefiting approximately 8.46 crore people.
The target is to add one crore new people to the ration card system.
All eligible applicants will receive new ration cards within 30 days of application.
From next year, ration will be delivered at home to ration cardholders above 75 years of age.
Projects worth ₹22,000 crore are being undertaken under the Seva Sankalp Evam Kayakalp Abhiyan for rural development.
The government aims to provide government jobs and employment to one crore people over the next five years.
The state has requested the Centre to increase the paddy procurement target to 50 lakh metric tonnes.
125 units of free electricity are being provided to every household in Bihar.
