Patna, Aug. 2: Families below poverty line (BPL) will soon have a reason to slap-up meal.

The state government will be providing BPL families with 20kg foodgrains absolutely free in addition to the 25kg they already get every month.

The move is part of the many schemes launched to mark the centenary year celebrations of Bihar.

The scheme, which has been coined Century Rice Festival, is a month-long programme starting August 15, said minister for food and civil supplies Shyam Rajak.

Setting aside allegations about many BPL families not getting 25kg rice every month, the minister said the different commissionaires of the state would have to undergo surprise inspections.

“The BPL families of the state get 25kg rice every month at subsidised rates. As part of this festival starting August 15, all BPL families will get 20kg of extra rice free of cost. Around 2 lakh metric tonne rice has been arranged by the state government for the purpose,” Rajak told The Telegraph.

According to the central government records, there are around 1.5 crore BPL families in India at present.

“The special programme has been termed Century Rice Festival. It is being organised under the 100th year celebration of Bihar. The government will ensure that each BPL family of the state get their share of rice in addition to the 25kg they get,” the minister added.

There have been frequent complaints that the BPL families in Bihar are not getting the due food grains.

A source said: “There are a few families, who have the BPL card or the Red card, but they don’t get the foodgrains. Either those sitting at the ration shops create problem and sell the foodgrains meant for BPL families to the private whole sellers or the problem lies with the middlemen thriving in the area. The janata darbar of chief minister Nitish Kumar witnesses such cases all the time.”

“Starting this month, officials will conduct surprise raids on the godowns and ration outlets. The programme has been chalked out commissionaire wise. Senior officials, including district magistrates will be part of the raid. We will be talking to families and try to know the nature of the problems they face and who is at fault,” Rajak said.

He added that many districts do not have godowns owned by the state government and these things will be soon taken care of.

“The government plans to come up with at least 400 godowns, each with the capacity of 500MT. A loan of Rs 300 crore for this purpose is in the final phases of sanction from Nabard. The state government, too, has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for this,” Rajak said.