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Naveen launches Rs. 2-a-kg rice scheme

-Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

Bonanza for the poor: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik along with Manmohan Samal, Minister for Revenue and Civil Supplies launching the distribution of Rs.2-a-kg. rice scheme at a function in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

BHUBANESWAR: Naveen Patnaik Government’s much-touted Rs. 2-a-kg rice scheme was formally launched in different parts of the State on Saturday.

While Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the scheme at a State level function held here, several Ministers launched the same at various district headquarters towns.

Fifteen families holding BPL and Antyodaya cards were handed over rice at Rs. 2-a-kg at the State by Mr. Patnaik, Food, Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Manmohan Samal and Rural Development Minister Biswabhushan Harichandan and others.

A large number of people, mostly from the city slums, attended the launching ceremony braving intermittent rain.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the scheme would help the poor families in coping with the problem of price rise.

Stating that the administration at all levels had been asked to implement the scheme properly, Mr. Patnaik said efforts were on ensure that every grain meant for distribution under the scheme should reach the beneficiaries.

Mr. Samal also spoke on similar lines. “If anyone involved in the distribution of rice through the public distribution was found committing irregularities he will not be spared by the government and the people,” he said.

Mr. Harichandan countered the charge made by Opposition Congress that the scheme was aimed at fetching votes in the coming polls. “What was the motive behind the UPA government’s decision to waive farm loans,” he queried.

All the BPL families of the State, families covered under Antyodaya scheme, APL families of the KBK districts and Scheduled Tribe students of residential schools will be covered under the scheme.

The distribution of the rice under the scheme will be done on six fixed days every month.

KORAPUT: “Do justice to the poor by ensuring proper distribution of rice” said Sanatan Bishi, Health Minister of the State while launching the government’s scheme of providing rice at Rs.2-a-kg at Koraput today.

Acknowledging the possibility of people keeping the BPL cards on mortgage, Jayaram Pangi, MLA, Pottangi said that efforts were made to ensure that all the eligible persons got the rice in the district. Rabinarayan Nanda, MLA, Jeypore, Ashok Pangi, president, Zilla Parishad and Balakrishna Sahu, District Collector also spoke. Moti Mali of Mali Street of Koraput was the first person from BPL category to receive the 25 kg rice bag from the Minister.

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