Bhubaneswar: The state government has increased the maximum price per quintal from Rs 75 to Rs 150 for transporting grains like rice and wheat under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved this proposal, as stated in a press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Rice is provided to Anganwadi Centers for Hot Cooked Meals, while Take Home Ration is provided to women’s self-help groups under the supplementary nutrition programme ¹. To facilitate this, transport agents are employed to transport rice and wheat.
Notably, the transportation cost had remained unchanged since 2011. The recent hike aims to offset rising fuel costs and other expenses. However, the government has clarified that the increased amount will only be applicable to newly recruited transport agents, not the current ones. The actual cost for new agents will be determined through a tender process, with a cap of Rs 150 per quintal.