Bihar government issues ration cards to nearly 24 lakh new beneficiaries

As part of the welfare scheme for poor families, the Bihar government on Thursday (November 12, 2026) issued ration cards to 23.75 lakh new beneficiaries. Along with it, the State government also granted licenses for 1,448 new Public Distribution System (PDS) shops. A total of 2.09 crore ration card holders are in the State, benefiting 8.48 crore people.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar has set the target to add one crore new ration card holders this financial year.

Mr. Choudhary symbolically handed over ration cards to a few of the beneficiaries during a function organised by the Food and Consumer Protection Department at Gyan Bhawan in Patna.

Addressing the people, Mr. Choudhary asserted that it is the State government’s resolve to ensure that no poor person in Bihar goes hungry and no eligible family remains deprived of the benefits of government schemes.

He added that bringing prosperity to the lives of the poor and providing them with opportunities to live with dignity is the government’s top priority.

“It is only through bringing prosperity to people’s lives, the vision of a ‘Developed India’ [Viksit Bharat]—as envisioned by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a ‘Prosperous Bihar’ as envisioned by the former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar can be realised,”Mr. Choudhary said.

Bihar CM pointed out that eligible families who are still without a ration card are encouraged to apply, and the government will ensure that a new ration card is provided to eligible applicants within 30 days of their application. He explained that ration cards are being issued to ensure food security for the poor.

Starting next year, a system will be introduced to deliver food grains (ration) directly to the homes of elderly ration card holders aged 75 and above, sparing them the unnecessary hardship of having to travel to collect their rations.

Mr. Choudhary also mentioned that to provide health security, poor families are being enrolled under the ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme and several other significant public welfare schemes are also being implemented for the poor.

“State government is continuously working to improve the standard of living for the poor. Every family in Bihar is being provided with 125 units of free electricity. The government’s primary objective is to serve the poor and fulfill their basic needs,”Mr. Choudhary said.

Referring to the ‘Panchayat Diwas’ (Panchayat Day) programme, which is held on the last Sunday of every month, he directed officials to launch a campaign to identify and include eligible individuals who do not yet possess a ration card.

He informed that under the ‘Seva Sankalp evam Kayakalp Abhiyan’ projects, worth ₹22,000 crore are currently underway to improve conditions in villages and develop rural infrastructure.

Discussing employment and industrial development, the Chief Minister said that the government is working toward a target of providing government jobs and employment opportunities to one crore people over the next five years.

“Industries are being promoted within the State to expand industrial activity and create new job opportunities for the youth. The government is committed to establishing a system by 2030 that ensures the people of Bihar are no longer compelled to migrate to other states in search of employment. The youth will be provided with dignified jobs and better future prospects within their own state,”Mr. Choudhary said.

Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Food and Consumer Protection Minister Ashok Choudhary, the Bihar CM also addressed the interests of farmers, saying that a request has been submitted to the Central Government to set the paddy procurement target for the state at 80 lakh metric tonnes, ensuring that as many farmers as possible receive a fair price for their produce.