p>Title: Need to bring more beneficiaries under Annapurna Scheme in Orissa.
(KALAHANDI): The Annapurana Scheme was introduced in April 2000 by the Government of India and was designed for providing food security to the most vulnerable, old and destitute persons. These persons are being supplied with 10 Kgs of rice per month free of cost. At present 64,800 beneficiaries are covered under the scheme and 648 MT is being purchased under the scheme every month from Food Corporation of India to meet the demand. The scheme was under Central Plan for 2000-01 and 2001-02. It has been transferred to State plan from the current year 2002-03.
The unprecedented drought has impaired the support system with the rural communities of the State and increased the vulnerability of senior citizens. So I request the Central Government to cover an additional number of another 1 lakh beneficiaries under the Scheme and another 50,000 for KBK districts with a financial involvement of 50 lakh rupees per month as per the drought memorandum submitted to the Central Relief Commission.