Odisha’s second ‘Annapurti Grain ATM’ inaugurated in Jharsuguda

Jharsuguda: Odisha's second and India's third "Annapurti Grain ATM" was inaugurated in Jharsuguda on Thursday. The technology-based system has been launched through a joint initiative of the Odisha govt and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).The advanced grain distribution system was inaugurated by Odisha food supplies and consumer welfare minister Krushna Chandra Patra, revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari and Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy. Jharsuguda collector Kunal Motiram Chavan, WFP-India deputy director Nozomi Hashimoto and senior WFP officials were also present.Addressing the gathering, Patra said beneficiaries are currently receiving 10kg rice per person, along with an additional 5kg under the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana.The minister announced that the grain ATM system would soon be expanded to district and block levels. He also revealed plans to establish 55 more grain ATMs in the state in the coming days.Tripathy urged the minister to establish another unit in Laikera block.Hashimoto described the project as a blend of technology, transparency and humanitarian service aimed at modernising India's food distribution system.