Odisha to distribute ragi in PDS at Rupee 1 per kg

Odisha government Monday decided to distribute ragi at the rate of Rupee 1 per kg among public distribution system (PDS) cardholders in the state.

This was decided at the Odisha Millet Mission meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary A P Padhi.

The chief secretary directed officials to pilot the ragi distribution in seven poverty stricken districts - Gajpati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nuapada and Rayagada - in the month of July.

The card holders in Malkangiri will be supplied two kilogram of ragi in July, the official said.

As ragi is a rich source of fiber and helps lower cholesterol level and the best food for weight control, diabetes and cooling the human body, Padhi directed the Millet Mission to promote consumption of ragi in urban pockets through tie up with bakeries, biscuits manufacturers, sweet stalls and mega retail counters.

Agriculture Secretary Sourav Garg said: "Around 17,500 quintals of ragi would be distributed to the card holders in the month of July."