Bhubaneswar, 13 June (H.S.): In a significant move aimed at providing relief to the general public, the Odisha government has announced the launch of Jan Poshan Kendras (Public Nutrition Centres) in every panchayat. The initiative, unveiled on the occasion of the government’s anniversary, will offer essential food items at subsidised rates to eligible beneficiaries.

Food and Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra informed that the Jan Poshan Kendras will provide basic commodities such as rice, wheat flour, sugar, salt, and pulses at affordable prices. As a pilot phase, the scheme will begin with the establishment of five centres, with plans to scale up across all panchayats.

The scheme is primarily targeted at middle-income families, with the department currently in the process of preparing eligibility guidelines to ensure the benefits reach the intended groups.

Currently, around 3.26 crore beneficiaries are covered under the National Food Security Scheme in the state. With the implementation of the Jan Poshan Kendras, the government expects to include an additional 50 lakh people, significantly expanding the reach of food security in Odisha.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda