state

Date of Chawal Utsav extended: Now 3 months ration will be available till 7th July

Harshad Dewangan 02 July 2025

Raipur The last date of 'Chawal Utsav' organized by the Chhattisgarh government has been extended. The state's food supply department issued an order on Wednesday and announced that now the rice of June, July and August will be distributed together till July 7. This has brought relief to lakhs of ration card holders who had not received their grains till now.

The stock had ended on Monday, now the deadline has been extended.
The state government had initially fixed July 1 as the last date for rice distribution, but due to slow pace of distribution and depletion of stock in societies, many BPL and APL card holders were deprived of rice. In view of this, the department decided to extend the date till July 31, but at the ground level it is being said that ration will be distributed till July 7.

Ground report: Rice missing in societies, stock exhausted

The department is claiming that rice has been distributed to 90% of the cardholders of the state so far, but the reality is that “no stock” boards have been put up in ration shops in many cities and rural areas. At the same time, APL cardholders have almost stopped getting rice. BPL cardholders are also facing long queues, partial distribution and the compulsion to return again and again. In many shops, only rice of June month has been given, due to which one has to come twice.

Why rice of three months together?

In view of the difficulty in bringing ration during the rainy season, the government had decided to give rice of June, July and August together. But due to slow supply, technical problems of new e-POS machines, and lack of management, about 8 lakh cardholders have not been able to get rice till now.

If e-KYC is not done, ration will be stopped!

Under the One Nation One Card Scheme, e-KYC has been made mandatory to get ration. The last date was June 30, till now the KYC of more than 29 lakh beneficiaries is incomplete. According to departmental sources, the names of those who have not done KYC may be blocked in the system. However, the government has not issued any clear order on extending the date or blocking the name.

Crowd and chaos continued

There was a huge crowd at the shops on July 1 due to the fear of the date ending. People stood in long queues throughout the day. Later when the information of extension of the date came, the operators and beneficiaries heaved a sigh of relief.

The objective of Chawal Utsav is commendable, but stock management, distribution system and technical obstacles have emerged as a big challenge in the government's plan. If the stock situation does not improve soon, then this scheme can become a problem for the people instead of a relief. Now the government is expected to make the distribution process transparent, equal and timely.