Orissa CM launches rice at Rs 2 per kg

Bhubaneswar, Aug 2 (UNI) The much-hyped scheme of Rs 2 per kg rice, for the benefit of the BPL families, was launched in the presence of ministers, MLAs and MPs besides thousands of ruling BJD-BJP party activists here today.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the scheme at a meeting organised by the Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department.

The scheme would cover 55.79 lakh beneficiaries, including all BPL families in the state, beneficiaries under the Antodaya Anna Yojana, and the APL families of the KBK region.

While the beneficiaries of Antodaya Anna Yojana would be entitled to 35 kg of subsidised rice per month, the BPL and the APL families of KBK region would get 25 kg per month.

Rice would also be supplied to boarders staying in hostels run by SC/ST department at the rate of 15 kg per student.

The subsidised rice would cost the state exchequer Rs 800 crore per annum.

The scheme would be implemented through the Orissa State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd and distributed through the Public Distribution System. The subsidised rice would be distributed to the beneficiaries every month on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd.

The district collectors are responsible for the implementation of the scheme and ensure that there are no diversion.

The collectors were asked to take stern action against dealers found diverting the PDS rice and eliminate fake ration cards.

The Opposition Congress had already dubbed the scheme an 'election' stunt.

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