Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launches state's own Food Security Scheme

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched the state's own food security scheme. The scheme has been introduced to benefit 25 lakh people, who were left out from the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Chief Minister has launched the scheme after interacting with people of four districts, including Bolangir, Balasore, Sundergarh and Mayurbhanj, through video conferencing from the State Secretariat.

"We had made a promise in 2014 and I am happy that we have kept our promise to provide food to the people. I will not allow any single beneficiary to be left out under the scheme," he stated.

The beneficiaries will get 5 kg of rice per person per month at a rate of Rs 1 per kg. Rs 443.5 crore per annum will be spent by the state government to support the scheme. While Rs 221.75 crore will be spent in the current financial year.

Patnaik added, "The UPA had started the food security scheme and ensured subsidised rice to different states at Rs 3-4 only. The state government is making tall claims about its own food security scheme. All these moves are part of vote-bank politics."