Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to provide 5 kg additional rice to those, who have not been covered under national and state food security schemes in 19 districts, for three months from September to November.
The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department has directed collectors of the 19 districts to complete lifting and delivery of rice to fair price shops by October 31 and wrap up foodgrain distribution by November 10. The collectors have also been instructed to ensure that fair price shops (FPS) carry out Aadhaar-authenticated distribution of PDS commodities as was being done earlier. “Only genuine cases including old and infirm, differently-abled, critically ill and leprosy patients, the practice of bypass shall be followed,” the order added.
This additional rice under Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, will be over and above the five kg of ration given to individuals under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), and State Food Security Scheme (SFSS). Approximately 2.4 crore members of over 70.47 lakh families, including 8.28 lakh covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), are likely to benefit. Each AAY family, previously entitled to 35 kg of rice, will now receive 40 kg for three months.
This increase in rice allocation followed complaints from beneficiaries that five kg rice per head per month ration was inadequate for their consumption needs.
Official sources, however, said this one-time decision was also aimed at reducing the burden on rice millers with surplus rice stocks. Though the Centre has decided to lift 8 lakh tonne of the state’s 12 lakh tonne surplus rice, the state has to find ways to dispose of the additional 4 lakh tonne of rice.