PATNA, April 23 -- In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Bihar government decided to distribute domestic coal for cooking purposes through the public distribution system (PDS), aiming to provide relief to low-income households grappling with rising LPG prices and supply disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict.

The scheme will cover around 21 million ration card holders, benefiting an estimated 85.1 million people under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), officials said on Wednesday.

The move, spearheaded by the state's food and consumer protection department, seeks to offer an alternative cooking fuel, particularly in rural areas where LPG availability has been affected. Coal will be supplied through the existing networ...