The Jharkhand state government launched its ambitious food post scheme.
It is first of its kind in India whereby 70,000 families of particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) enrolled under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) would be benefited.
By delivering food through special messengers, the government aims to check malnutrition and hunger deaths among these tribes.
The scheme was started from three blocks including Sundar Pahari (Godda), Chainpur (Palamu) and Barhait (Sahebganj) on Monday. All 24 districts of the state will covered under the scheme by April end.
Population of the PVTGs is dwindling and it is a concern for the state as well as the Centre.
Since they lead a wanderers life in jungles and hills, the NFSA has failed to reach out to them effectively for their benefit.
Block level officials would be engaged as special messengers for the schemes, who would deliver a packet of 35-kg rice to each household.
The delivery boy will carry an Aadhaar enabled POS machine to authenticate the actual delivery.
The scheme will also boost the income of rural women, as government has decided to purchase 35-kg plastic bags from Sakhi Mandal (women self-help groups).
