Naveen Patnaik launches Odisha's own food security scheme

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the crucial 2019 elections, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the state's own food security scheme on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti today.

Odisha’s food security programme has been launched to cover the poor people 'left out' from the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

“The programme will benefit 25 lakh vulnerable people who were excluded from NFSA coverage. Sufficient and nutritious food is a basic need and prerequisite for a healthy Odisha,” tweeted Patnaik.

The beneficiaries will get five kg of rice per person, per month at a rate of Rs 1 per kg. The state government will spend Rs 443.5 crore per annum to support the scheme and Rs 221.75 crore in the current financial year.

Patnaik launched the scheme through video conferencing and also interacted with the people in four districts - Bolangir, Balasore, Sundergarh and Mayurbhanj.

"In 2008, the state government had introduced Rs 2 /kg rice scheme for the poor people and again in 2013, the price was reduced to Re 1 a kg. Before the 2014 elections, we had promised to introduce state's own food security scheme. Today on Gandhi Jayanti, we have kept our promise and I am happy that 25 lakh poor people will get rice at the rate of Re 1 a kg," Patnaik said after launching the scheme.

Odisha's Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister S N Patro said, "There is no limit on the number of beneficiaries. The state scheme will cover all the poor people."