Bengal Govt announces ration reforms; beneficiaries will get 7kg rice under AAY scheme

The West Bengal government announced major structural reforms in the public distribution system to enhance transparency and ensure quality ration delivery to citizens. Under the new decision finalized at Nabanna, beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme will now receive 7 kg of rice per head. Food Minister Ashok Kirtania issued a strict warning against corruption, declaring zero tolerance for middlemen who previously siphoned off funds and compromised food grain quality.

Addressing past allegations of corruption and sub-standard grain distribution, the minister emphasized direct cooperation between the central and state governments to supply food grains straight to farmers and genuine beneficiaries. Under the revised guidelines, distributors and dealers engaging in malpractice face immediate legal action. Additionally, ration shop owners have been instructed to reject poor-quality grain shipments from distributors to maintain high standards across central and state pools.

To further improve quality for underprivileged families, the government reduced the permissible limit of broken rice in rations from 10 percent to 5 percent. The food ministry urged farmers to maintain direct contact with government agencies to prevent middleman interference. Official notifications detailing the new per capita quota and distribution guidelines will be issued shortly.