Bhubaneswar, Oct 23: The Odisha government has announced an additional allocation of 5 kg of rice per person per month for three months — September to November — under the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The move aims to support beneficiaries in 19 districts who were previously left out of full coverage under the National and State Food Security Schemes, officials said on Thursday.

2.40 Crore Beneficiaries

According to the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department, the extra rice will be provided over and above the existing 5 kg per person already distributed under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), and the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS). This decision will benefit approximately 2.40 crore individuals from 70.47 lakh families, including 8.28 lakh Antyodaya households.

Antyodaya families, which earlier received 35 kg of rice monthly, will now receive 40 kg for the three-month period.

Distribution Timeline

District collectors have been instructed to ensure that rice lifting and delivery to fair price shops is completed by October 31, with final distribution to beneficiaries by November 10. Aadhaar-based authentication will be mandatory at all distribution points, and iris scanners will be used instead of fingerprint devices to improve accuracy.

Exceptions will be made for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, differently-abled, critically ill, and leprosy patients, who may face challenges with biometric verification.

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More Nutritional Access

The decision follows widespread complaints that the current 5 kg per person monthly allotment was insufficient to meet basic consumption needs. The additional rice is expected to ease food insecurity and improve nutritional access for millions of low-income families across Odisha.