Assam government has initiated steps to extend food security cover to over 70 per cent of the state’s estimated 3.5 crore-plus population.

The entire process is expected to be completed by November, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday while sharing how his government “is working on a crucial mission” to ensure nutritional coverage to over 70 per cent of the population.

The targeted beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, in Assam is 2,51,89,775.

Extending the food security cover comes close on the heels of the state government’s decision to extend its flagship women-centric welfare scheme, Orunodoi.

On X, Sarma said: “With addition of the new 17 lakh+ beneficiaries along with almost 2 lakh NRC deleted beneficiaries and people under State pool; over 2.5cr people will be entitled to free food grains by 2025 following the Antyodaya approach of serving the poor and marginalised.”

He further said that over 42 lakh new beneficiaries were added in January to take the total to 2.31 crore, “of which 98 per cent availed free foodgrains every month”.