Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought his intervention in influencing the concerned ministry for early release of food grains and funds to Odisha under the Annapurna scheme.
Patnaik stated, “Under the Annapurna scheme 10 kg of rice is provided free of cost to those senior citizens who, though eligible, but have not been covered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme.”
The Chief Minister further stated, “It is a matter of concern that for the year 2016-17 and 2017-18 no allocation of food grains has been received by the State from the Department of Food and Public Distribution. Further, no funds have been received from the Ministry of Rural Development for the year 2027-18.”
In order to avoid inconvenience to the eligible old people and to ensure that their food security is taken care of, the State continues to meet the entire allocation of food grains out of State pool, which is causing additional burden to the State, Patnaik added.