As there is no provision of giving food grains to SC and ST students staying in residential schools under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)-2013, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday informed that his Government is committed to continue providing subsidised rice to them.
“Though there is no arrangement for SC and ST students under the NFSA, the State Government will continue providing subsidised rice for students staying and reading at residential schools and hostels managed by the SC and ST Department from its own exchequer,” said Patnaik here after launching the distribution of digitised ration card NFSA to the beneficiaries at a function.
The NFSA would be rolled out in the State on November 1 and beneficiaries would be able to get foodgrains at subsidised prices through the digitised ration cards.
Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma said transparency has been maintained in preparing the list of beneficiaries. “Errors, if any, regarding the beneficiaries can be corrected within three months,” said Dasburma.
Notably, a total of 3.26 crore beneficiaries would be eligible for rice and wheat worth 5 kg each at Rs 5 and Rs 3 per kg, respectively every month under this programme.
The State Government aims to complete distribution of new ration cards at the panchayat level in the 14 districts of Kandhamal, Angul, Sonepur, Balangir, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Nuapada, Malkangiri, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Koraput, Boudh and Deogarh by October 8 in the first phase.
The beneficiaries in the remaining 16 districts would be covered under the scheme in the second phase by October 26. The distribution of new cards in second phase would begin from October 16.