Latest news with #StateFoodSecurityScheme
New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Fate of eight lakh ration card applicants uncertain as Odisha begins fresh distribution
BHUBANESWAR: Even as the state government has started distribution of ration cards to 5.90 lakh beneficiaries after a fresh survey, the fate of nearly eight lakh applicants hangs in balance as they are yet to receive any clarity on their application status. The state government had received around 13.86 lakh applications - both via online and offline mode - after its decision to cover all left-out eligible persons under the food security schemes of the central and state governments. After a field-level verification, the government announced the selection of 5.90 lakh new beneficiaries who will be covered under the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS). However, in absence of any communication from the authorities concerned, fate of the remaining around 7.96 lakh applicants is still in the dark. While PDS dealers supplying free rations are their only point of contact to know whether their applications have been selected or rejected, the former too, are clueless. Sameet Panda, convenor of Odisha Khadya Adhikar Abhijan said inclusion and exclusion under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and SFSS is based on the criteria set by the government in 2014. 'However, things have changed a lot in the last 10 years and the government needs to revisit the criteria for selection of beneficiaries. No one is sure if the remaining applications are pending for accommodation in the future or they have been rejected as the government is not putting anything in the public domain,' he added. Panda further said that the state government has the opportunity and resources to cover all eligible persons under SFSS as NFSA quota has been exhausted after shifting for over 5.88 lakh beneficiaries from state food scheme list to NFSA list. 'After the Centre's decision to provide food grains free of cost from January 2024, the state government will save approximately Rs 600 crore annually as the subsidy burden of Rs 2 per kilogram of rice of the state is being taken care by the Centre. This amount could be utilised to accommodate all eligible left out persons under the state scheme,' he added. The previous BJD government had launched SFSS in 2018 to cover 25 lakh individuals who were eligible but could not be covered under NFSA as the central quota was fixed for 3.26 crore people. Now only 1.33 lakh ration cards covering 4.20 lakh persons are under SFSS. With no vacancies under NFSA, those who had applied under the central food security programme a year ago are not sure if they will get the new ration cards, said an officer of the Civil Supplies department.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
CM to launch new ration cards in Puri on Thursday
BHUBANESWAR: The state government will start distribution of ration cards to new beneficiaries of National Food Security Act (NFSA) and State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) from April 24 (Thursday). Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will launch the distribution at a state-level function to celebrate the Panchayati Raj Diwas in Puri on the day. He will give away the new ration cards to few beneficiaries in the presence of all members of his council of ministers, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare minister Krushna Chandra Patra told mediapersons here on Tuesday. Patra said around 5.9 lakh beneficiaries have become eligible after survey and eKYC verification. The new cards will be distributed in phases at block, municipality and NAC level. The department has already instructed all block development officers, municipal commissioners and executive officers to prepare coloured ration cards with lamination. The minister said as many as 25 lakh beneficiaries still have not updated their eKYC. Officials concerned have been asked to conduct field verification to know the status of the beneficiaries and submit reports to the department based on which the final list will be prepared. 'The last date of eKYC verification of existing beneficiaries was March 31, 2025. However, we have not closed the verification option. The government is committed to ensuring that not a single eligible person is deprived of free ration,' Patra said. The CM will also disburse the sixth phase of Subhadra Yojana and launch the block-level stadium project by virtually laying the foundation stones for a few blocks in Puri. The state government has approved an outlay of `4,124 crore for construction of stadiums in all blocks over a period of five years.
Hans India
23-04-2025
- General
- Hans India
CM to distribute new ration cards on April 24
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will launch distribution of new ration cards among 5.90 lakh beneficiaries on April 24. Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Tuesday said 9 lakh people have applied for ration cards, and of them, nearly 5.90 lakh were found eligible to be covered under the food security scheme. 'The Chief Minister will launch the distribution of new ration cards on National Panchayati Raj Day (April 24) from Puri. After the event, the new ration cards will be distributed in other parts of the State,' Patra told reporters. The minister said new cards will be distributed among the beneficiaries at the block level. Nearly 25 lakh ration card holders have not completed their e-KYC (know your customer) till now, he said, adding that a field-level verification of these beneficiaries is in progress. A total of 3.25 crore people in the State are beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), while another 6.48 lakh have been covered under the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS).
