Odisha govt to provide free ration to 94L families for three months amid COVID-19 crisis

Odisha government will be providing free ration to 94 lakh families for three months in view of Coronavirus crisis. According to reports, all those families who are covered under  national and state food security schemes will be provided with free ration from April to June. Furr, free ration will be provided under Prhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (MPGKY) in dition to monthly quota supplied to people under  National Food Security Act (NFSA) and State Food Security Scheme (SFSS).

According to Joint Secretary of  Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department, MQ Haque,  beneficiaries are entitled to get 5 kg of rice per person per month and 1 kg of milled arhar dal per family per month. Furr,  State Food Supply and Consumer Welfare (SFSCW) department has issued an order for all Collectors to distribute food supplies. Reportedly, free food grains will benefit 3,28,49,327 people of a total of 94,01,563 families in state.

Currently, re are 54 positive cases of Coronavirus in Odisha, out of which 12 people have been reportedly recovered, while one person has died. 

Odisha govt extends lockdown

Meanwhile, Odisha on Thursday, April 10 became first state in country to extend lockdown till April 30 in view of rising numbers of COVID-19 cases.  state government has also decided to close all schools and educational institutions till June 17. Along with it, Odisha government has also requesting  Centre to keep airlines and railway services shut till April 30.  

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COVID-19 crisis in India

According to latest update of Union Health Ministry, about 8,447 cases of COVID-19 infection have been reported in country including 7,409 active cases. While 273 deaths have been reported overall, around 765 people have been cured/discharged/migrated. Currently, highest number of cases have been reported from Maharashtra and Tamil Nu.

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On March 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi h anunced a 21-day nationwide lockdown to check spre of dely coronavirus, stating that "social distancing" is only way to contain disease which is spreing rapidly across world. As India's total case count crossed 8,000 mark, Centre is considering a two-week extension of lockdown currently in effect across country.

Meanwhile, PM Modi held a video conference with states' Chief Ministers to discuss situation and get ir feedback on wher 21-day shutdown should be extended. Following meeting, Telangana, Maharashtra and West Bengal became latest states to extend lockdown period, after similar moves by Odisha and Punjab earlier this week.

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(With ANI Inputs)