Bihar issues coupons for BPL familes
Deccan Herald, Patna, Jan.27, 2007
The Bihar Government has launched an ambitious scheme for those living
below poverty line (BPL) wherein the beneficiary would be allotted
coupons to avail of kerosene and foodgrain from ration shops.

"Earlier, BPL families were given ration cards. But after receiving
numerous complaints of irregularities and malpractice at PDS shops, we
decided to introduce BPL coupons instead, wherein each such family
will have to submit coupons to avail of wheat, rice and kerosene,"
said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Explaining the rationale behind the move, Nitish said, "To check
black-marketing, we have made it mandatory that the next lot of
foodgrain and kerosene be allotted to the PDS dealer only when he
submits coupons of the previous month."

Under the scheme, every BPL family will be issued 36 coupons each.
"Twelve coupons each are being issued for kerosene, wheat and rice
respectively for one year," a senior official in the CM's Secretariat
told Deccan Herald on Saturday. The scheme got underway with the chief
minister distributing 340 coupons to BPL families at Danapur.