Chandigarh, October 26 — The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has announced the expansion of its flagship welfare scheme, ‘Atta-Dal’, into a comprehensive ‘Complete Ration Package’ that will include home delivery of essential food items to 1.42 crore beneficiaries across the state.
According to the government, the move aims to provide direct household support and reduce dependency on markets for basic kitchen needs. Beginning April 2026, eligible families will receive the package free of cost, which will include wheat, 2 kg pulses, 2 kg sugar, 1 kg tea leaves, 1 litre mustard oil, and 200 grams turmeric.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the government’s goal is to ensure that “no family in Punjab struggles for basic necessities.” He added, “The electricity bill became zero, travel for women became free, and now the worry about ration is also over. This is our guarantee that the public’s money is being spent only on the public.”
The state plans to distribute ration every quarter — in April, June, October and December — to nearly 40 lakh eligible families out of Punjab’s 65 lakh households. Under the National Food Security Act, about 72,500 metric tonnes of ration will be distributed each month.
Officials said home delivery of flour and wheat will begin in the New Year, marking a shift from the traditional ration distribution system. The government has identified around three dozen flour mills to process wheat for timely and quality delivery.
The Mann government said it currently spends ₹22,000 crore annually on free electricity up to 300 units and ₹600 crore on free bus travel for women. With the new ration delivery system, the government described the initiative as a step toward reducing kitchen expenses and extending welfare to the poor and middle class.
