CM Majhi Launches Annapurna Yojana, 3 Cr Odisha Families to Get Free Rice
Synopsis
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, providing an additional 5 kg of free rice per person per month to over 3 crore NFSA and SFSS beneficiaries across the state, marking a major food security push on the government's second anniversary.
Key Takeaways
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana on 12 June 2026 .
Each eligible beneficiary will receive an additional 5 kg of free rice per person per month at no cost.
The scheme covers beneficiaries under both NFSA (National Food Security Act) and SFSS (State Food Security Scheme).
More than 3 crore beneficiaries across Odisha are expected to receive direct benefits.
Distribution will be routed through the existing Public Distribution System (PDS) network.
The announcement marks the second anniversary of the BJP-led government in Odisha under #2YearsofLokankaSarakar .
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Friday, 12 June 2026 that the state government will provide an additional 5 kg of free rice per person per month to food security beneficiaries under the newly launched Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana. The scheme covers beneficiaries enrolled under both the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Odisha's State Food Security Scheme (SFSS), with more than 3 crore beneficiaries set to receive direct benefits.
Context
Posting in Odia, Chief Minister Majhi stated: 'ଲୋକଙ୍କ ସରକାରରେ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ସୁରକ୍ଷାକୁ ମିଳୁଛି ପ୍ରାଥମିକତା' ['Food security is being given priority in the people's government']. He added that through the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, each eligible beneficiary will receive an additional 5 kg of free rice per month, with over 3 crore people to benefit directly. The announcement was made under the hashtag #2YearsofLokankaSarakar, marking two years of the BJP-led government in Odisha.
Policy Backdrop
The National Food Security Act, 2013 forms the legal backbone of India's food entitlement framework, guaranteeing subsidised grain to priority and Antyodaya households through the Public Distribution System. Odisha's State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) extends this coverage further, enrolling additional residents who fall outside central NFSA norms but remain economically vulnerable. The Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana layers an additional free allocation on top of both these existing entitlements, a model seen across several rice-consuming states that supplement central allocations with state-funded schemes to address local consumption needs.
Odisha, an eastern Indian state with a large rural population and deep dependence on rice as a staple, has historically been a priority target for food security interventions. The BJP-led government that came to power in June 2024 has framed welfare expansion as a central pillar of its governance agenda, and this scheme fits squarely within that narrative.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries are low-income households across Odisha already enrolled under NFSA or SFSS, who will now receive an additional 5 kg of free rice per person every month without any additional cost. With more than 3 crore beneficiaries cited by the Chief Minister, the scheme represents one of the state's largest single food welfare expansions in recent years. The distribution is expected to flow through the existing Public Distribution System (PDS) infrastructure already operational across the state.
The announcement coincides with the second anniversary of the current Odisha government, lending the scheme political salience alongside its welfare dimension. For rural households, the additional allocation could meaningfully reduce monthly food expenditure.
What's Next
Key details still awaited include the precise rollout date, monthly distribution logistics, and any supplementary budget allocations the Odisha state assembly may be required to approve to fund the scheme at scale. The government is expected to clarify eligibility verification processes and whether new enrolments under SFSS will be permitted alongside the scheme's launch. How swiftly the PDS network can absorb the additional grain load will determine the pace of on-ground delivery to the 3 crore-plus intended recipients.
Point of View
Tangible benefit with minimal administrative friction. Timed to the BJP government's second anniversary in Odisha, it signals that the party intends to consolidate its welfare credentials in a state where the previous government had built a strong social-scheme legacy. The 5 kg per-person addition is a meaningful quantum in rural household economics, making it harder for opposition parties to dismiss as symbolic. Whether the fiscal headroom exists to sustain the scheme without crowding out other state priorities will be the critical test of its long-term durability.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana in Odisha?
Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana is an Odisha state government scheme announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi that provides an additional 5 kg of free rice per person per month to beneficiaries already enrolled under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) or the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS).
Who is eligible for Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana?
Beneficiaries already registered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) or Odisha's State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) are eligible. More than 3 crore people across Odisha are expected to benefit directly.
How much free rice will beneficiaries get under Annapurna Yojana Odisha?
Each eligible beneficiary will receive an additional 5 kg of free rice per person every month, over and above their existing entitlements under NFSA or SFSS.
When did CM Mohan Majhi announce the Annapurna Yojana?
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the scheme on 12 June 2026, coinciding with the second anniversary of the BJP-led government in Odisha.
What is the difference between NFSA and SFSS in Odisha?
The National Food Security Act (NFSA) is a central government law providing subsidised food grains to priority households across India. The State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) is Odisha's supplementary programme that extends food security coverage to additional residents who fall outside NFSA norms but remain economically vulnerable.
