Naveen Patnaik launches Odisha's own Food Security Scheme

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday launched the state's own food security scheme to cover the poor people "left out" from the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

While Patnaik launched the scheme through video conferencing and interacted with the people in four districts - Bolangir, Balasore, Sundergarh and Mayurbhanj -, other ministers, MPs and MLAs started the programme in different parts of the state.

The beneficiaries of the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) will also get cheap rice at the cost of Re 1 as availed by the people covered under the NFSA. Each poor man will get 5 kg of rice per month as per the provision of the National Food Security Act, 2013.

Of the state's 4,19,74,218 population as per the 2011 census, 3,26,41,800 people (about 78 per cent) have been availing the benefits of NFSA. The State Food Security Scheme will now include additional 25 lakh beneficiaries.

As per the provisions of the SFSS, 25 lakh poor people "left out" from the benefits of the NFSA, .