Odisha’s First Rice ATM to be Set up in Bhubaneswar for Seamless PDS Distribution

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a revolutionary initiative to streamline Public Distribution System (PDS) deliveries by launching rice ATMs in the state. This pilot project will kick off in Bhubaneswar within a week and eventually expand to encompass all districts.

Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, unveiled this plan after a departmental meeting on Thursday. He elaborated, “PDS cardholders in Bhubaneswar will be the first to experience the convenience of rice ATMs. Beneficiaries can simply insert their cards into the machine and collect their monthly rice quota.”

Patra also addressed the crucial matter of paddy procurement, reassuring farmers that the government will uphold its promise and purchase Kharif paddy at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,100 per quintal for the current season..

He further explained, “The recent revision of paddy MSP by the Central government to Rs 2,300 per quintal on Wednesday works in our favour. The state will now need to contribute Rs 800 per quintal from its budget instead of the earlier Rs 917.”

Additionally, he assured the elimination of “katni chhatni” (damage deduction) practices at mandis, ensuring farmers receive fair compensation for their crops.