Gandhinagar, Oct 31 (NationPress) The Gujarat government has announced that the distribution of essential commodities under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) will begin on November 1. This initiative guarantees that Antyodaya (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) beneficiaries will receive uninterrupted food and nutrition support to which they are entitled.

As part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, beneficiaries will receive free wheat and rice, along with toor dal, chana, sugar, and salt provided at subsidized rates, ensuring access to high-quality, protein-rich essentials.

It is noteworthy that Gujarat is the only state in India that offers additional festival-time assistance by distributing edible oil and extra sugar during Janmashtami and Diwali at discounted prices, reflecting the state’s commitment to inclusive welfare.

For November, thorough planning has been conducted for over 75 lakh families, covering approximately 3.25 crore people. The state has completed allocation and transaction records for free and subsidized items, with the distribution process set to kick off on November 1.

To support the operations of Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers, the government provides a fixed monthly commission of ₹20,000, helping to cover handling and distribution costs—a benefit unique to Gujarat. Payments have been made consistently, allowing FPS operators to check their commission details via the e-passbook system.

The demand from associations to increase the minimum commission to ₹30,000 per month is currently under policy review. Officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department confirmed that commission payments have been disbursed up to September 2025, and regular consultations with FPS associations are ongoing to address operational concerns. They reiterated that halting distribution or denying essential goods to ration card holders is unacceptable under any circumstances.

Under the 'One Nation, One Ration Card' initiative, beneficiaries can now collect their food grains from any ration shop across the state or nation using biometric identification. Gujarat is leading the nation in implementation, with over one crore beneficiaries having already benefited from this facility.

To enhance transparency, the government has mandated biometric or OTP-based verification of rural and urban vigilance committee members during the doorstep delivery of essential commodities to FPS shops. The new guideline requires at least 50 percent verification completion by December 31, 2025, ensuring accountability in the delivery process.