<strong>Bhubaneswar:</strong> The Odisha government is set to roll out Jan Poshan Kendras, inspired by the successful models in Gujarat and Delhi, aimed at providing essential commodities at subsidized rates across the state. The primary goal of the Jan Poshan Kendras is to enhance the nutritional offerings available to beneficiaries, ensuring better access to essential food items. "In this initiative, both economically weaker sections and middle-class families will receive rice, pulses, flour, and cooking oil at subsidized rates through these Poshan Kendras," said Food Suppliers & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra while speaking to reporters. To ensure affordability, both the Central and Odisha governments will jointly provide subsidies for the program. Patra further added that the government plans to initially launch 35 pilot projects to assess the program's effectiveness. "We will evaluate the number of beneficiaries and the overall profitability of the initiative, with the intention of expanding it to every panchayat across the state," he explained. Additionally, Patra revealed that a team of officials will soon visit Gujarat to study its operational model, ensuring the successful implementation of the program. Following this, the government will finalize the necessary policies and make a conclusive decision regarding the program's expansion in the near future.
