Leader of Opposition (LoP) in State Assembly Pradipta Naik on Thursday urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for free distribution of rice and pulses to all the needy families who are not covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS).
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Naik noted that many of the non-NFSA and non-SFSS beneficiaries are facing difficulties in meeting their daily needs due to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown period.
He urged the CM to provide free rice and pulses under PDS to all those households who have no ration cards.
“The Centre has made certain relaxation in rules for use of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Fund to fight COVID-19 in the country. I request you to make arrangement by using these funds to provide free rice and pulses to those poor families, who are yet to avail ration cards,” wrote the LoP.
He also requested to put the list of non-NFSA and non-SFSS beneficiaries at panchayat offices for necessary use.