JAMSHEDPUR: The state food and consumer affairs department will approach the Centre for its consent to increase the number of the beneficiaries under the public distribution system , determined on the basis of expected increase in population till December 31.Currently, Jharkhand can have a maximum of 2,64,43,330 PDS beneficiaries as the Centre has fixed 2011 population census as the yardstick for determining the number of people who can be brought under the scheme. The Centre has further determined an average annual increase of 1.64% in population to calculate the rise in the number of beneficiaries who could be included under the scheme.Based on those parameters, the total population of the state is expected to reach 3,78,57,182 by December 31.“The population of Jharkhand has recorded a rise of 16.4% between 2011 census and 2019, based on Centre’s parameters. Therefore, we seek to determine the list of beneficiaries on the basis of 2019 population so that new beneficiaries can be brought under the PDS system,” food and consumer affairs minister Saryu Rai said.Saryu added, “Approximately 9,73,810 new people is estimated to have come into existence in the state between 2011 and 2019. Hence, we will approach the Centre to allow to bridge the gap of 7,94,844 people who still do not have ration cards.”The government will also send a proposal to the Centre hike the state’s quota of the PDS items, especially rice and wheat, keeping in view the increase in the number of the genuine beneficiaries.

Stay updated with all the Latest Jamshedpur headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.