Odisha Doubles Monthly Free Rice Allocation To 10 Kg; 3.28 Crore To Benefit
“The objective of the scheme is to ensure that no poor family is deprived of food and that vulnerable sections of society receive additional support amid rising living costs”: Majhi
BHUBANESWAR: In a major welfare initiative aimed at strengthening food security, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced that beneficiaries covered under the national food security act and the state food security scheme will receive a total of 10 kilograms of rice free of cost every month under the state's Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana. The announcement was made as the BJP government in Odisha completed two years in office.
Under the revised arrangement, the state government will provide an additional 5 kilograms of rice per beneficiary every month over and above the existing entitlement, effectively doubling the monthly allocation to 10 kilograms.
According to the Chief Minister, the expanded scheme will benefit around 3.28 crore people, covering nearly 80 per cent of Odisha's population, making it one of the largest food security interventions in the state.
“The objective of the scheme is to ensure that no poor family is deprived of food and that vulnerable sections of society receive additional support amid rising living costs,” Majhi said.
The state government has earmarked approximately Rs 8,813 crore annually for the implementation of the programme, underlining its commitment to social welfare and food security.
Officials said the enhanced allocation is expected to provide significant relief to low-income households, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged regions, where a large section of the population continues to depend on subsidised food grains.
The Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana forms a key component of the BJP government's welfare agenda in Odisha and is aimed at supplementing the benefits already available under the Centre's food security programmes.
The Chief Minister said the initiative reflects the government's resolve to strengthen the social safety net and improve the quality of life of millions of people across the state.
With nearly four out of five residents expected to be covered, the scheme is likely to have a far-reaching impact on household food consumption and nutritional security, especially among economically vulnerable families.