Centre funds boost State’s rice scheme

Centre subsidises Rs 24.64 per kg of rice, and the State Rs 3.16 per kg for 'one rupee per kg' rice scheme, says State food minister.
Image used for representational purpose only
Image used for representational purpose only

BHUBANESWAR: Even as Biju Janata Dal (BJD) reverts to its old slogan of Central neglect in view of the panchayat polls in February next year, the flagship schemes of the State Government, in reality, are mainly funded by the Centre.

According to a written reply given by Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma in the Assembly to a question from Dilip Ray (BJP), the State Government now distributes 1,62,368 tonne of rice per month to more than three crore beneficiaries at a subsidised rate under different schemes.
The State Government distributed 1,17,542 tonne rice and 24,632 tonne wheat to 2,84,59,376 beneficiaries at the rate of five kg per person in November. Dasburma said the Centre subsidises Rs 24.64 per kg of rice and the State Government Rs 3.16 per kg for one rupee per kg rice scheme.

The Minister admitted that both the State Government and the Centre have provided subsidy for providing 35 kg of rice per month at Rs one per kg price to 10,12,914 beneficiaries under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
Similarly, rice was also supplied to 5,47,380 Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students in hostels at the rate of 15 kg per student under one rupee per kg rice scheme. Besides, 10 kg of rice per head was distributed free of cost to 62,831 beneficiaries under the Annapurna Yojana in November, he said.

Besides, 11,000 students of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas were provided 15 kg of rice per student at Rs one per kg while rice was also supplied to 11,775 beneficiaries under different schemes at Rs 6.30 per kg.
Replying to a separate question from Ray, Dasburma said 1,07,00625 applications were received for ration cards under National Food Security Act (NFSA) out of which 85,91,447 were provided cards.
He said 2,45,705 ineligible persons have returned their cards and 45,859 have withdrawn their applications.

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