PATNA, Nov. 13 -- Chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday distributed ration cards to over 2.37 million new beneficiaries, taking the total to 20.9 million ration cards, benefitting about 84.6 million people. He also distributed permits for 1,448 new public distribution system shops. Addressing a function at Gyan Bhawan in Patna, Choudhary reiterated the government resolve that no poor of Bihar should go hungry and no eligible family should be deprived of the benefits of government schemes. "Bringing happiness to the lives of the poor and providing them opportunities to live with dignity is the top priority of the government. That is how the dream of developed India of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and prosperous Bihar of former chief minister Nitish Kumar will be realised. Food security to poor and needy families is part of the larger objective," he said. The CM said the government had a target of linking 10 million new people with ration cards. "The eligible families still deprived of ration cards should apply. The government will ensure that they get their ration cards within 30 days of application. Poor families are being linked to Ayushman Bharat for health protection. Other important public welfare schemes are also being run for the poor," he said, thanking the PM for providing free food grains to poor families. He said the state government was working continuously to improve the living standards of the poor. "The government provides 125 units of free electricity to all families in Bihar. The main goal of the government is to serve the poor and fulfil their basic needs. The arrangement of providing food grains to the elderly with ration cards above 75 years of age will also be started at their homes," he added. Referring to the programme organised on the occasion of Panchayat Day on the last Sunday of every month, the CM exhorted all public representatives and office bearers to take the initiative to add the names of eligible people deprived of ration cards by running a campaign and ensure that all the facilities, viz. health centres, schools, anganwadis, PDS shops etc. ran smoothly at the panchayat level. "Schemes worth Rs.22,000 crore are being run to improve the condition of villages and develop rural infrastructure. The government is also working to provide government jobs and employment to one crore people in the next five years. By boosting industrialisation, the government focus is to ensure Biharis don't have to go outside for livelihood by 2030," he said. The CM said the Centre had been requested to make the target of paddy procurement in the state 8 million metric tonnes so that more and more farmers could get a fair price for their produce. Deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, food and consumer protection minister Ashok Choudhary also addressed the event....