September 14th,2020

Punjab Govt rolls out Smart Ration Card Scheme.
Even as he launched the Smart Ration Card Scheme to cover 1.41 crore beneficiaries across the state, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today announced a separate state-funded scheme to provide subsidised ration to nine lakh beneficiaries not covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

CM said the Centre had capped the maximum number of beneficiaries to 1.41 crore and, despite repeated requests, had not agreed to provide subsidised ration to the deserving nine lakh people not covered under the NFSA.
His government had, therefore, decided to cover all such left out eligible persons under a state-funded scheme, the details of which would be announced shortly.

The scheme would help curb corruption and give freedom to the beneficiaries to buy from any depot.
Describing it as a major step towards empowering the beneficiary.
It would end the exploitation of beneficiaries by unscrupulous ration depot holders.
The smart ration card empowers the beneficiary to get his entitled quota of foodgrain from any ration depot across the state.

(Source:- Tribune(PB))

Swaran Kaur Bal, a folklore researcher, who preserved ‘Bolian Tappe’ and other folklore of Majha region by visiting rural masses, is still active in her field.
Even at the ripe age of 83, her participation in social and cultural events is as young. Recently, she organised ‘Tian da Mela’ to keep the tradition alive.

On the bedrock of it, she penned a book ‘Majhe De Main Jami Jayi’ comprising songs, boliyan and tapes of Majha region in 2000. She has mentioned every single woman who has been part of the contribution.
With the book gaining popularity among the populace, it was published four times. The maiden year of publication is 2000, followed by 2003, 2009 and 2017 by Punjabi Saath, an international literary body.
Apart from this, she has been part of several radio station talks and Doordarshan as well. A source of encouragement for several women of her village for more than a decade, she has also promoted rural culture and folk singing in her ‘Mela Charkhe Da’ – organised at the village.

(Source:- Tribune(PB))