New Delhi, July 17 -- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday handed over licences to 2,800 new ration depot holders, a move the state government said will strengthen the public distribution system and improve access to subsidised food supplies for nearly 5.5 lakh ration card holders.

Addressing a programme at Vikas Bhawan in Mohali, Mann said the additional depots would reduce the need for beneficiaries to travel long distances or spend hours in queues to collect their monthly ration. He added that the initiative is part of the government's efforts to expand access to essential services closer to people's homes.

According to the chief minister, the allocation process was conducted through an interview-based selection syst...