Free Foodgrain Scheme, Jharkhand

Jharkhand government started Free foodgrain scheme for the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) in the state in the year 2017. Under this scheme the state government distributes 35 kg rice to the PTG families per month. PTG families usually have rice as a major part of their regular diet, thus state government decided to provide rice to such families. The rice is provided in packets at the doorstep of the families under this scheme. This door to door supply of rice packets is done by the employees of Food and Civil Supplied Department. These rice packets are prepared by women self help groups thereby making them financially strong and independent. Currently this scheme is benefiting to about 73,000 PTG families in the state thereby ensuring welfare.

Scheme Overview:

Objectives and Benefits:

• The main objective of the scheme is to provide rice to the PTG families in the state to help them overcome their hunger issues.
• Under this scheme, state government will provide 35 kgs of rice free of cost to each PTG family.
• The state government provides free rice at the doorstep of the beneficiary families.
• This scheme ensures basic food to the PTG families even in times of the pandemic.
• This scheme will ensure no one in the state starves without food.
• It aims at enhancing the overall health conditions of the PTG families across the state.
• It tends to ensure social security and welfare of the beneficiaries.

Key Points:

• Free foodgrain scheme is started by the Jharkhand government in the year 2017.
• This scheme is mainly started for the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) in the state.
• Tribal groups like Asur, Birhor, Paharia (Baiga), Sabar, Birajiya, Korwa, Mal Paharia and Souriya Paharia are counted in as PTGs in the state.
• These tribal groups earn about Rs. 1000 per month as their living and are also low on literacy.
• Thus, the government provides the beneficiaries with 35 kg free rice every month and that too at their doorstep.
• This door to door service is intended to reach each and every beneficiary family in the family thereby ensuring their food security.
• The distribution of rice under the scheme is done by the employees of Food and Civil Supplies Department in the state.
• The rice packets are prepared by women self help groups in the state thereby making them financially strong and independent.
• Currently about 73,000 families are being benefited under this scheme.
• On October 4, 2021, the state government announced a social audit to be conducted for this scheme.
• Under this the department employees will visit each and every family and conduct a social survey regarding the problems they face in getting the foodgrain delivery
• This will help the government to find out the gaps and ensure better distribution of food grains to the beneficiaries.
• Actual implementation of the scheme will be screened by the government through this audit.