Universal PDS is being implemented in Chhattisgarh from 02 October 2019 on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. After this step of the state government, no person will be deprived of ration card or ration. All the families of the state have now become eligible for ration cards. Foodgrains eligibility for priority ration cards has been increased under universal PDS, they are getting ration with increased eligibility from August 2019. After the universal PDS is implemented, now the priority ration cards are 10 kg for one-member family, 20 kg for 2-member family, 35 kg for 3 to 5-member family and 7 kg per member per month for family with more than 5 members. Rice is being given at the rate of Re 1 per kg.
Under the new PDS, food grains are also being provided to ordinary families (income tax payers and non-income tax payers). In the normal ration cards, 10 kg for 01-member family, 20 kg for 2-member family, 35 kg of food grains for 3 or more than 3-member family has been fixed at Rs. 10 per month. Presently, food grains are being provided to 9.39 lakh general ration card holder families.
After the implementation of universal PDS in the state, food security is being provided to 97 percent of the population of the state. At present food grains are being distributed to 2 crore 48 lakh people registered in 67 lakh 10 thousand ration cards. During the last 2 years, about 11 lakh 15 thousand new ration cards have been issued in the state and the names of 5 lakh 52 thousand new members have been added to the ration cards.