Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will start distribution of new ration cards to about 5.90 lakh new beneficiaries on National Panchayati Raj Day (April 24), Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said here today.
“Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will launch distribution of the new ration cards from Puri. After the launching, it will be expanded to other parts of the State,” Shri Patra told media persons.
Nearly about 9.50 lakh people would get new ration cards. The new cards will be distributed among the beneficiaries at block-level, Patra said.
Recently, the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has directed Collectors to issue ration cards to eligible beneficiaries who have been left out or are new applicants.
The Collectors have been asked to complete preparation of the new ration cards by April 22. The formal launch of the distribution of new ration cards will be announced separately.
The department has directed Block Development Officers (BDOs) and municipal commissioners to generate coloured ration card PDFs by April 20 and laminate them.
The laminated ration cards will be kept at Block or Urban Local Body (ULB) offices and distributed to beneficiaries in ceremonies organised by MPs, MLAs, and other dignitaries.
A total of 3.25 crore people in the state are beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), while another 6.48 lakh people have been covered under the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS).