Bhubaneswar, April 9: A total of 85,14,856 families have been covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA) while ration card has been distributed to 77,47,124 families so far across the State, said Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma.
Reviewing the present status of NFSA at the State secretariat here on Friday, Dasburma directed the officials to distribute the remaining ration cards at the earliest and initiate necessary action against those accused of committing irregularities in the Central scheme.
“The State aims at including 3,25,78,820 beneficiaries under NFSA out of State’s total population 4,19,74,218 as per the 2011 census. Meanwhile, 3,17,23,220 beneficiaries of 84,54,932 families have been included under the scheme, which is 75.58 pc of the total population”, Dasburma said.
The Minister said around 1,54,872 cards are lying at the concerned offices. “Despite repeated notices, the beneficiaries are not accepting the cards. Following investigation and review, around 78,928 cards have been cancelled and necessary steps will be taken on disbursing the remaining cards”, he said.