BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Government will roll out the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in 16 districts from December 20 under which digitised ration cards will be distributed to the beneficiaries.
This was decided following a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Wednesday. The State Government is currently facing Opposition heat over irregularities in identification of beneficiaries as a large number of fake names has surfaced.
Naveen directed that stringent action would be initiated against ineligible beneficiaries who are enjoying benefits of the scheme and officials responsible for faulty selection would face the music. The Government has also directed that genuine beneficiaries who have been excluded from the list would get a chance for submitting fresh applications for inclusion by December 31. The first phase of NFSA which was rolled out on November 16.
During the meeting, the Government also reviewed the paddy procurement process. So far, procurement has started in seven districts. Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister and Chief Secretary were also present.