Food security scheme launched in Berhampur

Berhampur: Over 26.54 lakh beneficiaries in Ganjam district would be benefited under Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, the newly introduced food security scheme by the state govt.Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the scheme on June 12 with the objective of strengthening food security by extending additional support to eligible beneficiaries.On Tuesday, the scheme was launched in Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC). Berhampur MLA K Anil Kumar and BeMC mayor Sanghamitra Dalei distributed new ration cards and additional foodgrains to beneficiaries.“Under MAY, all beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA) and State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) would receive an additional 5 kg of rice per family member per month free of cost, over and above their existing entitlement,” said Subharaj Samantara, additional civil supply officer, Ganjam.Since the programme was effected from last April, beneficiaries on Tuesday got an additional 15 kg of rice for the past three months (April, May and June). “This would further strengthen food security for eligible households,” said the MLA. He asked officers to ensure that benefits reach the beneficiaries. In the BeMC area, 46,980 ration cards were served through 77 fair price shops, sources said.“The new ration card, along with the additional rice under the MAY distribution programme, would continue for next three days till Thursday, covering various wards of the BeMC area,” said Samantara.

Among others, BeMC commissioner A Sasya Reddy, deputy commissioner Ashirwad Parida, corporator (ward No. 19) Kadambari Das were present at the launch of the MAY scheme in BeMC.He said distribution of additional rice under the scheme was going on in different blocks in the district presently.