Odisha Govt Again Extends E-KYC Update Deadline For Ration Cards Amid Network Issues

Bhubaneswar: In a big relief to the people in remote areas facing network connectivity issues, the Odisha government on Saturday extended the deadline for updating E-KYC for new ration cards by another 45 days.

Announcing this, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said the deadline for updating e-KYC has been extended till March 31.

The e-KYC update deadline was set to expire on Friday. As many people are yet to update their e-KYC to avail PDS benefits in remote areas, the state government considered extending the deadline.

The decision has been taken to address these technological barriers and the difficulties faced by people. Efforts are underway to enhance the connectivity infrastructure with network devices set to be deployed at 341 locations throughout Odisha.

The need for this extension is underscored by persistent connectivity issues. Reports suggest 111 locations continue to grapple with slow network speeds, affecting residents’ ability to update their E-KYC information. Furthermore, a pressing concern is the complete absence of network connectivity in 230 locations which are mostly PDS centres, posing substantial hurdles to digital processes.

New device will be installed near Public Distribution System (PDS) points for improving the network within 2-4 days.

More than 30 lakh people are yet to update their e-KYC due to network error in some remote areas. With extension of the deadline, the beneficiaries will be able to complete e-KYC verification process to get the benefits under food security schemes, the Minister said.

Around 90 per cent people have updated their e-KYC under the schemes and many beneficiaries have surrendered their ration cards, he said, urging ineligible beneficiaries to surrender the cards to evade action.