Q. Recently, India launched its first 24/7 grain ATM in which state?
Answer:
Odisha
Notes: India’s first round-the-clock grain ATM was recently launched at Mancheswar in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Odisha introduced its first Grain ATM on August 8, 2024, under the National Food Security Programme. This technology, part of the central Annapurti programme, was developed with the World Food Programme to enhance food security. Grain ATMs are automated machines that provide food grains directly to people, reducing hunger and ensuring fair distribution. They minimize human intervention, cut down on corruption, and were first used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some machines use biometric authentication for security and offer fortified grains to improve nutrition, aiming to reduce food waste and increase efficiency.