More Than 16 Lakh Ineligible Beneficiaries To Lose Ration Cards, Says Odisha Minister

Bhubaneswar: A total of 16,27,932 ghost ration cards have so far been identified in Odisha, Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra told the state Assembly on Wednesday.

While responding to a query by Bonai MLA Laxman Munda, he further stated that name of ineligible beneficiaries will be deleted automatically since the government has introduced e-KYC verification.

Munda had raised concern about a large number of beneficiaries who are yet to get ration cards.

In his response, Patra said that State Government is making necessary arrangements to deliver ration at doorsteps of those who are unable to come to panchayat office.

“Similarly, an App will be introduced for elderly beneficiaries who are unable to authenticate their biometrics for ration,” Patra said in the State Assembly.

He added that PDS dealers operating in the previous government were allegedly involved in irregularities. The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department will identify such licensees and cancel their dealership, the Minister said.