World Food Programme praises Odisha Government

In an aim to promote food security in Odisha, the top officials of World Food Programme,WFP, led by Mr. Manoj Juneja, on Monday visited the State capital and called on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other prominent leaders. The officials made a review on WFP’s current engagements in the State and discussed future activities to make Odisha a hunger free state.

Besides Mr. Juneja, the WFP delegation comprised, Mr Torben Due, country Director, WFP, India, Mr Jan Delbaere, Deputy country Director and Mr Himanshu Bal, WFP coordinator in Odisha.

While discussing the impacts of the pilot project for strengthening of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in Rayagada district, the WFP officials were happy to see the achievements of Targeted Public Distribution System (TDPS), particularly the state wide identification drive to find the targeted beneficiaries within the framework of National Food Security Act.

It is to be believed that, identification drive would save around Rs 700 Crore by eliminating fake cards.

Mr. Juneja talked about the policy support in the automation of transactions in the Fair price Shops through use of Point of sale Devices and undertaking a pilot for enhancement of nutrition through Public Distribution System (PDS).

Referring to the success of TDPS in Gajapati district for fortification of rice, WFP looks forward to demonstrate the benefits of fortification of rice on other places. The WFP officials also discussed regarding the policy support in the automation of transactions in the Fair price Shops through use of Point of sale Devices and undertaking a pilot for enhancement of nutrition through PDS network.

The WFP officials also extended their gratitude to the State Govt for its innovative steps and commitment to reduce hunger and malnutrition across the state. The delegation also met Minister Food and Agriculture Sanjay Das Burma and discussed the issue on many angles.

The Naveen Govt has been providing around 25 to 35 kg of rice under PDS @ Rs.1 per kg to the poor people across the state; School students are also provided free nutrition food under MDM. Another populist programme “Aahar Yojana”, a scheme to provide nutritious and hygienic meal to the needy at Rs 5, will be implemented in five cities in near future.

It is believed that the joint effort from the government, UN agencies and NGOs can better address the challenges of hunger and malnutrition in Odisha.