Chandigarh, 6 November 2024 – The Punjab government has extended the deadline for 9,750 families to apply for new ration depots from December 5 to December 26, according to fresh instructions issued by the state.
Families interested in acquiring ration depots have been directed to submit their applications to the offices of the Food and Supplies Department.
This marks the revival of ration depot allotments after an eight-year gap. The last such allotments were made during former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s tenure, while no new depots were allocated during the Congress-led government from 2017 to 2022.
Currently, Punjab operates approximately 1,850 ration depots across 23 districts, benefiting 38 lakh ration card holders and over 1.5 crore individuals under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
Ration depots are set to be distributed among General, SE, E, BC, ex-servicemen, freedom fighters, disabled individuals, and riot victims. Officials from the Food and Supplies Department have claimed that applications are being processed urgently, appealing to interested families to meet the December 26 deadline.
In related developments, Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak recently raised the commission for depot holders from Rs 50 to Rs 90 per quintal of wheat, addressing long-standing demands.
Karamjit Singh Araicha, National Joint Secretary of the All India Share Price Shop Association, welcomed the move, stating it provides significant relief to depot holders who had threatened strikes over the issue.
The government distributes wheat to eligible families every three months under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, ensuring food security for millions.