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Collectors told to implement Rs. 2-a-kg rice scheme

BHUBANESWAR: With an uncertainty prevailing over survival of United Progressive Alliance Government at center, Naveen Patnaik-led Government in Orissa appeared to be moving fast to the election mode by asking district magistrates to implement the new Rs. 2-rice scheme with “extreme” sincerity.

Inaugurating the one-day conference of district Collectors here on Monday, Mr. Patnaik issued a stern directive that the scheme should be implemented in such a manner that not a single beneficiary was left out.

He said the State Government needed a total transparency in the scheme. District Collector would have to ensure that the scheme would be free from pilferage by keeping strict vigil on storage agents and dealers, Mr. Patnaik said.

Several senior Cabinet Ministers, Chief Secretary Ajit Patnaik and a number of senior Secretaries were present at the meeting. Last week the State Government had announced that 25 kg of rice would be made available to all the below poverty line (BPL) families every month at a rate of Rs. 2 per kg.

To be implemented from August 1, the Rs 2 rice scheme is estimated to benefit about 40 lakh BPL families. Rice at the same rate would also be available to the lakhs of extremely poor families covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana.

In KBK area, the subsidised rice would be available to all the Above Poverty Line families as well as hostels meant for scheduled tribe category students.

It has been decided to sell the rice on the 5th and 25th of every month in presence of official. The scheme would be launched in 21 districts simultaneously on August 1 and in rest nine districts the next day.

Expressing his displeasure over alleged hoarding of ration cards by dealers, Chief Minister said district Collectors should recheck the list of cards and ensure that every cardholder was benefited.

Since the scheme was an important step towards addressing food security of poor people, Mr. Patnaik laid emphasis on extensive public awareness programme. He also suggested redressal mechanism should be put in place at district, subdivision, block and tehsil level and action against defaulting officers should be immediately taken.

Besides, the district Collectors were asked to ensure proper implementation of farm pond programme, plantation, new agriculture policy, free bicycles to tribal girls, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Biju Rural Electrification, piped water supply and flood preparedness activities.

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