The Naveen Patnaik government launched its own food security scheme on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on Tuesday, benefiting 25 lakh people who were left out of the National Food Security Act.
“On Gandhi Jayanti, launched Odisha’s own food security scheme to benefit 25 lakh vulnerable populace that were excluded from coverage; sufficient and nutritious food is a basic need and prerequisite for a healthy Odisha, as a part of our resolve to eradicate hunger in Odisha,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in a tweet after launching the scheme.
The beneficiaries will get 5 kg of rice per person per month at the rate of ₹1 per kg, said the Chief Minister while launching the scheme at four different districts through videoconferencing from the State Secretariat here.
The State government will spend ₹443.5 crore per annum to support the scheme and ₹221.75 crore in the current financial year, Mr. Patnaik added.
The State government had decided to launch its own food security scheme after the Centre did not respond to its request to add additional beneficiaries under the NFSA.