The Odisha government will open Rice ATMs in four additional districts—Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur, Keonjhar, and Dhenkanal—expanding the initiative to improve food distribution.
The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister, Krushna Chandra Patra, confirmed the plan in a written reply to MLA Goutam Buddha Das during the Assembly session.
Odisha’s first Rice ATM was launched in Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar, in July 2024. Since then, 20,217 beneficiaries have withdrawn rice through the automated system, amounting to 3,805 quintals.
Officials said the expansion aims to make ration distribution more transparent, efficient, and accessible. The ATMs allow beneficiaries to withdraw rice using their ration cards, reducing manual errors and ensuring accountability.
The government plans to gradually extend the facility to all districts, strengthening Odisha’s public distribution system and ensuring food security for vulnerable communities.
