More than 22 lakh beneficiaries have now been covered in the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS). The poor and eligible people left out under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) will receive their quota of 5 kg rice at a rate of Rs 1 a kg.
When on October 2 last, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled this new State scheme, totally funded by the State exchequer, 18.32 lakh beneficiaries had been listed.
The latest eligible list, updated as on January 10 reveals that 22,10,686 beneficiaries are included in the scheme and rest 3 lakh would be covered as soon as possible, sources in the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare (DoFCW) said.
The SFSS targets to cover a total of 25 lakh beneficiaries of 6.70 lakh families. Over 88 per cent of the target has been achieved, said revealed DoFCW Secretary Vir Vikram Yadav. Distribution of ration cards and rice is going on simultaneously so that the beneficiaries get cards and immediately avail rice.
Rice allotment for January and February has been released so that there would be no hassle; and per month 9,862 tonnes of rice is being provided to the districts.
Officials say that over 75 per cent of the transactions go through the Aadhaar authentication process. However, as there is poor connectivity, Aadhaar authentication is a problem, officials admit.
The State Government started providing rice at Rs 2 per kg since October 2, 2008. The success of the programme prompted a decision to provide rice at Rs 1 per kg for people living below poverty line in 2013.