The Narayanpur district administration in Chhattisgarh has initiated a decentralized public distribution system (PDS) to deliver rations directly to 11,764 beneficiaries across 67 villages in the remote Abujhmad region. This system, launched in January 2026, aims to address the challenges faced by residents who previously had to travel long distances to access their monthly rations, often taking up to three days. The initiative was made possible after the region was declared 'Maoist-free' in January 2023, allowing state services to reach areas that had been inaccessible for years. Each month, 34.05 metric tonnes (1,340.5 quintals) of food grains are transported directly to gram panchayat-level distribution points. The district collector, Namrata Jain, noted the hardships faced by residents, particularly women, who had to navigate difficult terrain to collect their rations. The administration plans to establish permanent fair price shops in phases and has adopted a pre-positioning strategy to ensure uninterrupted access during the monsoon season. Local residents have welcomed the new arrangement, highlighting the significant improvement in their access to essential food supplies.