COVID-19: Odisha CM seeks extension of free rice distribution by another eight months
The Hindu
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he pointed out that vulnerable sections of population required free foodgrains as the impact of COVID-19 was yet to fully fade away.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the Centre to consider extending additional allocation of rice at least for the next eight months under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for its free distribution.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he pointed out that vulnerable sections of population required free foodgrains as the impact of COVID-19 was yet to fully fade away.
Mr. Patnaik thanked Mr. Modi for providing seven months’ rice free of cost under PMGKAY for distribution to National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries in the State from May 2021 to November 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
In 2021, five women from Mayithara, four of them MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) workers, found a common ground in their desire to create a sustainable livelihood by growing vegetables. Rajamma M., Mary Varkey, Valsala L., Elisho S., and Praseeda Sumesh, aged between 70 and 39, pooled their savings, rented a piece of land and began their collective vegetable farming journey under the Deepam Krishi group.