CM Majhi launches Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, doubling free rice entitlement for 80pc of Odisha’s population

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 12, 2026

Announcing that no family in Odisha should go hungry, no child should suffer from malnutrition, and no elderly person should face hardship due to food scarcity, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday launched the landmark Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, a major food security initiative aimed at strengthening social welfare and ensuring nutritional support for millions across the state.

The scheme was unveiled during the Odisha government’s second anniversary celebrations at the IDCO Exhibition Ground in Unit-III, Bhubaneswar today.

Describing the programme as more than just a welfare scheme, the Chief Minister said it represents the government’s commitment to public welfare, its sensitivity towards the poor, and a historic resolve to secure food for every household in the state.

Under the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, all beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the State Food Security Scheme will receive an additional 5 kilograms of rice free of cost per person every month, over and above their existing entitlement. At present, beneficiaries receive 5 kilograms of free rice per person. With the implementation of the new scheme, the monthly entitlement will double to 10 kilograms per person.

The initiative is expected to benefit 3.28 crore people belonging to 1.06 crore families, covering nearly 80 per cent of Odisha’s population. The state government will spend approximately ₹8,813 crore annually on the programme. Calling it a sacred social investment rather than an expenditure, Majhi said the initiative is aimed at bringing smiles to the faces of the poor and strengthening the state's social security framework.

Reflecting on the government’s two-year journey, the Chief Minister highlighted several welfare and development initiatives undertaken during the period. He said the government is progressing under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” and remains committed to building a prosperous, empowered and self-reliant Odisha in line with the vision of a developed India.

The anniversary celebrations also witnessed the launch and inauguration of several major infrastructure projects for Bhubaneswar.

Majhi inaugurated a newly constructed six-lane road stretching over 13 kilometres from the Institute of Mathematics through Infocity to Ekamra Kanan, built at a cost of ₹108.24 crore to improve urban mobility and ease traffic congestion. He also laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Jayadev Vihar–Nandankanan road and construction of flyovers at an estimated cost exceeding ₹949 crore. The corridor will be expanded into an eight-lane road to enhance connectivity in the capital city.

In another significant announcement, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a 20-storey Janashraya Bhavan on Janpath in Bhubaneswar. To be constructed at a cost of ₹874 crore, the facility will provide affordable short-term accommodation with modern amenities for around 2,000 people visiting the capital from different parts of the state.

As part of efforts to strengthen grassroots service delivery, Majhi also launched the distribution of smartphones to all Anganwadi workers, supervisors and block coordinators across Odisha. A total of 72,224 Anganwadi workers, 2,802 Lady Supervisors and 338 Block Coordinators will receive smartphones to improve service monitoring and implementation. The Chief Minister further inaugurated the Subhadra Shakti Samvad programme aimed at empowering women and promoting community engagement.

During the event, the Chief Minister also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing the achievements and milestones of the Odisha government over the past two years and interacted with participants at the venue.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the government remains committed to empowering rural women and enabling them to take leadership roles. Extending advance greetings on the occasion of Raja festival, she remarked that after the launch of the Subhadra initiative earlier, the government has now introduced Annapurna, adding that households blessed with both “Subhadra” and “Annapurna” would naturally move towards prosperity and development.

Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said the government is dedicated to the principles of Antyodaya and is working to ensure that welfare and development reach even the last person in society. He emphasized the government's commitment to building a hunger-free and fear-free society.

Public Works and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana and Janashraya Bhavan were conceived with an understanding of the hardships faced by poor families and would significantly improve their quality of life.

Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi thanked the Chief Minister for launching the major development projects in the city. Ministers and public representatives also participated in anniversary events held across various districts of Odisha, marking two years of the state government's tenure with a renewed focus on welfare, infrastructure and inclusive development.