Odisha CM Launches Fortified Rice Pilot Project For Malkangiri

Bhubaneswar/Malkangiri: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated the pilot project for supplying fortified rice to eligible beneficiaries in Malkangiri district.

This variety of rice contains Vitamin B-12, iron and Folic Acid which will be crucial in terms of nutrition for poor people, especially women and young girls, said Naveen after the virtual launch of the project in the district.

A total of 1,54,083 beneficiaries in Malkangiri district will be given 32,103 quintals of PDS rice per month, Minister Tusharkanti Behera said

Attending the programme from Malkangiri, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Tusharkanti Behera said the vitamin-rich rice will benefit tribal and poor people of the district who suffer from malnutrition. The micronutrients in the grains will help in healthy growth of the children, he added.

The project will be launched on other parts of the state in a phased manner, Behera added.

Food and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain elaborated on the State Government’s schemes directed towards food security of the poor people. Odisha is one of the fore runners in India in terms of food security, he said.

On the day, the Chief Minister also inaugurated ‘one nation, one ration’ programme across Odisha. From now on, ration card holders of the state staying outside Odisha, and those from other states working in Odisha, can buy food grains and other items at ration shops by showing the card.

“I have always said that poor people should not be deprived of food security. That is our target,” said Naveen. Under this food security programme, 93 lakh families and 3.5 crore people will be benefited, Naveen said about the ‘one nation, one ration’ programme.