Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a significant overhaul of the state’s public distribution system (PDS), stating that rationing will soon come to an end, and the subsidy amount will be directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model.
Speaking at the launch of the Poshan Abhiyan and Suposhan Health Fair at the Scientific Convention Center in Lucknow, CM Yogi said, “Ration dealers should prepare to do some other business. The subsidy will go directly to people’s accounts now.”
Rationale: Ending Corruption and Ensuring Transparency
Yogi Adityanath emphasized that corruption in ration distribution has plagued the system for years. Upon assuming office, 30 lakh fake ration cards were cancelled, leading to substantial savings. He shared that by installing Electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices at just 13,000 ration shops, the government saved ₹350 crore annually.
He added that when ePoS is implemented across all 80,000 ration dealers in the state, ₹2,000 crore in savings could be achieved each year. “Maximum use of technology will help eliminate corruption from top to bottom,” he said.
DBT in Nutrition Mission Also Emphasized
Yogi Adityanath also highlighted the importance of DBT in schemes like the Nutrition Mission, ensuring that assistance reaches the right people without leakages. “If schemes are delivered with honesty, then no one should die of hunger, disease or malnutrition,” he stated.
He stressed that linking Poshan Abhiyan with DBT and running awareness campaigns is key to tackling malnutrition, especially in rural areas.
Encephalitis Cases Drop After Clean Water Initiatives
Referring to health issues like Japanese encephalitis, the CM noted a significant drop in deaths—from over 200 deaths last year to fewer than 10 this year at Gorakhpur’s BRD Medical College. This improvement, he said, was due to clean drinking water initiatives, sanitation efforts, and active collaboration among six departments, including Health, Women & Child Welfare, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj.
Malnutrition: Local Solutions, Long-Term Impact
To fight malnutrition, the CM encouraged residents to plant drumstick (moringa) trees, known for their nutritional benefits, in their backyards. He also pushed for the cultivation of protein-rich millets and ragi, especially in Bundelkhand, where 100% subsidy is provided for ragi production.
Strengthening Rural Healthcare & Monitoring
While announcing a ₹1,600 crore budget for Lucknow’s premier institutions—KGMU, SGPGI, and Lohia Institute—the CM said that the focus must also shift to strengthening primary and community health centers in rural areas. He proposed bi-weekly health fairs at these centers and instructed DMs, nodal officers, and ministers to review government schemes monthly, with mandatory village visits.
Ayushman Bharat Coverage Expanding
CM Yogi added that 2.18 crore families have already been issued Ayushman Bharat cards, and efforts are underway to cover the remaining eligible families. The state is also on track to be open defecation free by October 2, with 1.5 crore toilets constructed so far.
