Finance
The Odisha government has announced the expansion of its revolutionary Rice ATM scheme to four additional districts: Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur, Keonjhar, and Dhenkanal. This was revealed by Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Krushna Chandra Patra in a written response to a query posed by BJD MLA Goutam Buddha Das in the State Assembly.
The pioneering Rice ATM, also known as the Annapurti Grain ATM, was initially deployed in August 2024 at Mancheswar in Bhubaneswar, becoming India’s first 24/7 automated grain distribution machine under the Public Distribution System (PDS). Beneficiaries can obtain their allocated rice using their ration card information and biometric authentication, avoiding dealer delays and assuring transparent, round-the-clock availability.
Since its beginning in July 2024 (operations began after the inauguration), the Bhubaneswar facility has serviced 20,217 beneficiaries, who have withdrawn 3,805 quintals of rice. The move intends to improve food security, minimize wait times, and modernize ration distribution throughout the state, with ambitions for a broader implementation.
