The first phase of distribution of digitized ration cards under National Food Security Act will be launched today in the 14 districts of Odisha. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, will launch the programme at the state capital while ministers of the state government will distribute the same in different districts.
In the first phase, about 93.35 lakh beneficiaries of 26.33 lakh families will be brought under Food Security Act. The districts to be covered under the food security programme are Angul, Bargarh, Balangir, Boudh, Deogarh, Gajapati, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nuapada, Sambalpur, and Sonepur.
In the second phase, State government plans to provide the digitised ration cards by the end of this month. Under the programme from beginning of next month beneficiaries will be able to get food grains at subsidised prices through the digitized ration cards.
Quoting official sources, our correspondent reports that a total of 3.26 crore beneficiaries comprising over 82 per cent rural and 56 per cent urban population will be eligible for rice and wheat worth 5 kg each at 5 rupees and 3 rupees per kg respectively every month under this programme.