SAS NAGAR (MOHALI), July 17 — The state government has successfully dismantled old patterns of political favoritism in the public distribution system by shifting to a purely merit-driven selection process for essential food commodity dealers. By issuing operating licenses to 2,800 new distribution partners through a structured interview framework, the administration has successfully prioritized absolute transparency while drastically broadening local accessibility. The strategic expansion ensures that approximately 5.5 lakh families can now access essential grains and nutritional resources in the immediate vicinity of their neighborhoods, eliminating the need for exhausting long-distance travel.
Speaking to the newly inducted operators at Vikas Bhawan, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann maintained that the introduction of rigorous merit-based selection marks a necessary step toward absolute systemic fairness. The updated allocation policy actively guarantees structural representation across diverse demographic segments, providing immediate livelihoods while securing institutional inclusion for historically marginalized sections.
“Out of the 2,800 new licences, 633 have been allotted to Scheduled Castes, 199 to Other Backward Classes, 181 to Ex-servicemen, 39 to the families of Freedom Fighters, 156 to Persons with Disabilities and 17 to Riot-Affected Families,” the Chief Minister stated. He affirmed that these distribution channels form a critical interface connecting the state executive directly with ordinary citizens.
The government continues to expand its food security blanket, distributing comprehensive Meri Rasoi household kits containing staples and essential pulses alongside free wheat allocations to 40 lakh registered households. The operators have been directed to practice total equity at the point of delivery, with particular care reserved for elderly recipients and individuals with physical disabilities.
“Today, 2,800 depot holders are receiving their licences under the new depot allotment policy,” the Chief Minister declared. “This is not merely a licence but an opportunity to earn a livelihood while serving the people.”
Broader administrative updates show that this focus on public safety and resource management extends to the state’s transport corridors. The newly established Sadak Surakhya Force has achieved a 48 percent drop in major highway fatalities since its launch last year, combining modern emergency response vehicles with specialized personnel to protect commuters. The state leadership maintained that every rupee drawn from the public exchequer is being reinvested into tangible welfare improvements, including the provision of stable daytime electricity for agricultural producers and the restoration of historic canal irrigation routes.
