Patna: The Bihar government has announced a major welfare initiative aimed at helping elderly citizens who depend on the public distribution system for their daily food needs. On Friday, Bihar’s newly appointed Food and Consumer Protection Minister, Ashok Choudhary, said the government would make efforts to deliver ration supplies directly to the homes of ration cardholders above the age of 80. The announcement came shortly after the minister officially assumed charge at the department headquarters in Patna, where senior officials welcomed him and briefed him about the department’s ongoing work.
After taking charge of the office, Choudhary addressed journalists and described the Food and Consumer Protection Department as one of the most important departments connected to the lives of ordinary people in Bihar. He said more than 8 crore people in the state are linked to ration card schemes and rely on subsidised food grains supplied through the government’s public distribution system. According to the minister, the government’s priority in the coming days will be to make these welfare services more accessible, especially for elderly citizens who often face physical difficulties in visiting ration shops regularly.
The minister said many senior citizens above the age of 80 struggle to travel long distances or stand in queues to collect ration supplies every month. He added that the government wants to ensure such people receive support without inconvenience. The proposed doorstep delivery system is expected to benefit thousands of elderly residents living in villages, small towns and urban areas across Bihar. Choudhary also made it clear that the department would work to ensure that no poor or eligible family is left without a ration card. He said the state government remains committed to strengthening food security and protecting consumer rights.
During his first review meeting after assuming office, the minister sought detailed information from officials regarding ongoing schemes, food grain distribution, ration card coverage and consumer welfare programmes. Senior officers present during the occasion included departmental secretary Abhay Kumar Singh, special secretary Vibhuti Ranjan Choudhary, Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation managing director Sunil Kumar, joint secretary Ravindra Kumar and officer on special duty Srishti Priya. Officials said the department will continue working on improving transparency and efficiency in ration distribution across the state.
The announcement comes at a time when welfare delivery systems are becoming a major focus for state governments across India. In Bihar, where a large section of the population depends on subsidised food support, the success of such initiatives could have a direct impact on the lives of millions of vulnerable people. If implemented effectively, the doorstep ration delivery plan for citizens above 80 could become one of the state’s most important social welfare measures for senior citizens in the coming months.
