Receipt Mandate For Centre’s Free Foodgrain Scheme Sparks Political Row In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Centre’s missive to states to issue print receipts to beneficiarieis of free foodgrains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) has triggered a political row in Odisha with BJP leaders claiming that the BJD government cannot mislead people any more.

While BJP said that with the Centre making issue of printed receipt mandatory the state government will not be able to hijack the central scheme and brand it as its own, ruling BJD leaders said the new system will create chaos and beneficiaries will suffer.

Speaking on the issue, senior BJP leader and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi said people of Odisha will now come to know that the Centre is providing free rice under NFSA for 3.25 lakh beneficiaries in the state.

Stating that the Center is now bearing the entire cost of rice supplied under NFSA, she said that the BJD government in the state has been misleading the people by claiming the free rise scheme as its own.

On the other hand, BJD leaders including senior MLA Amar Satpathy claimed that the Centre’s move is likely to create a chaotic situation and PDS beneficiaries may have to suffer.

It may be noted here that the Centre has decided to provide foodgrains free of cost to all NFSA beneficiaries for one year, with effective from January 1, 2023.

As per the Centre’s direction, the print receipt will prominently indicate that the free foodgrain is distributed and the subsidy is borne by the union government.

“The Central government has now decided to provide free of cost foodgrains to all NFSA beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) for one year, with effective from January 1, 2023,” the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said in a letter to all states.

The Ministry has asked all the States/UTs to immediately issue instructions to the NIC team/technical team to incorporate certain changes in IT systems and ePoS application to ensure free-of-cost foodgrains distribution to NFSA beneficiaries from January 1 to December 31, 2023.

Exclusive print receipt to be printed for NFSA distribution and separate receipt to be printed for State schemes, if any. or any additional quantity if issued by the State/UT, the Ministry said.

“Print receipt of NFSA to prominently indicate free foodgrain distribution and subsidy borne by the Government of India,” it added.

It said the format of print receipts for foodgrain distribution under NFSA will be shared shortly.

The States have also been asked to make separate biometric authentications for distribution under NFSA and under State/UT schemes if any, or any additional quantity if issued by the State/UT.

“Further, it is also requested to sensitise the FPS dealers and field officers with regards to the above decision of the Central Government. Extensive awareness generation amongst the beneficiaries may also be carried out so that all NFSA beneficiaries become aware to get free foodgrains from Fair Price Shop under NFSA,” the Ministry letter said.