Statewide NFSA digitization in Odisha to start from Jan 28 

Odisha Sun Times Bureau:
Bhubaneswar, Jan 2:

After the completion of the pilot project on identification of beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Bhubaneswar block, the process would be extended to remaining districts of Odisha from January 28.

Prior to the rollout of NFSA, the identification would be carried out on the principles of exclusion criteria. The process beginning from January 28 would end on August 15 and the PDS beneficiaries would be eligible to avail food grains and other commodities with new ration cards from September this year, official sources said.

Before the launch of the first phase of the registration process, a day-long orientation programme of all concerned sub-collectors, supply officers, and Chief District Trainers was held here today.

Speaking on the occasion, state Food and Civil Supplies minister Sanjay Das Burma urged the concerned officials to conclude the identification process within the deadline.

Food and Civil Supplies secretary Madhusudan Padhi explained to the members the different phases involved in the identification process through a detailed presentation. Besides, he reviewed the preparedness of 30 districts to be covered under the programme.

Odisha State Civil supplies Corporation managing director Niranjan Nayak described the importance of NFSA to the members. Several other senior officials of the department also participated in the programmed.

Notably, based on the eight notified exclusion criteria, all citizens who deem themselves to be eligible for ration cards will have the opportunity to apply for it during a specified period.

To start with, the eligible families will be required to register themselves by filling up a short registration form (which requires the name of at least two members of the family along with name of their father and spouse).

The registration form shall be available at registration centres to be set up at gram panchayats in rural areas and at the level of wards in urban areas.

While registering, the concerned families shall be given a registration number or form number (4 digits) and issued a prescribed application form along with the instruction sheet and the advance date when the family can submit the filled in forms at the centre.

Upon the submission of forms on the designated date, the family shall be assigned with a date when an acknowledgement slip towards the proof of submission of the form can be issued. The registration centres shall be identified and manned by resources locally hired.