In a groundbreaking initiative, the Bihar government has decided to distribute domestic coal through the public distribution system (PDS) to alleviate the burden of rising Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices and supply issues exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. This program will benefit approximately 21 million ration card holders, translating to around 85.1 million individuals under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The state’s food and consumer protection department aims to provide an alternative cooking fuel, especially in rural regions where LPG availability is compromised. Each household will initially receive up to 100 kg of coal per month, with the possibility of increasing this quota based on demand. The Bihar State Mining Corporation Limited has been tasked with procuring coal from Coal India Limited, while the transport department will manage logistics and costs. The initiative will also utilize the existing e-POS (electronic point of sale) system for efficient distribution, allowing beneficiaries to access coal using biometric authentication. This program is expected to address structural issues in LPG access, as many districts in Bihar currently face delays in LPG refills.