Lok Sabha Election 2024, Phase 1: Voting on 102 seats underway
In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024, as many as 102 constituencies spanning across 21 states and Union Territories will elect their new MPs.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grave concern over the non-allocation of funds as well as foodgrains for the Annapurna scheme to those who have not been covered by the national old age pension scheme.
Seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention in this regard, the Chief Minister said over 64,800 old people are being covered in the state but central allocations have not been received for the year 2016-17 and 2017- 18.
In his letter to the PM, the CM said under ‘Annapurna’ scheme 10 kg. of rice is provided free of cost to those senior citizens who, though eligible, but have not been covered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme.
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The Ministry of Rural Development is the nodal Ministry at Government of India level and they release the funds for operation of the scheme.
At the same time, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution releases allotment of food grains. But both have failed to provide funds and food grains.
In order to avoid inconvenience to the eligible old people and to ensure that their food security is taken care of, the State continues to meet the entire allocation of food grains out of the State pool, which is causing an additional financial burden on the State, stated the CM.
He requested the Prime Minister to issue instructions to the concerned Ministries for early release of food grains and funds relating to the previous years and also to ensure timely release of allocation in future for smooth running of the scheme.
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