Bhubaneswar: With the deadline for e-KYC update process for ration card beneficiaries set to expire on February 15, the Odisha government made it clear on Sunday that no further time extension will be allowed.
Announcing this, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra told reporters that as many as 37, 85, 496 beneficiaries under the government’s food security programmes are yet to complete e-KYC verification process.
He said the government has decided that there will be no further extension for completion of the e-KYC process for ration card holders beyond February 15.
The Minister urged the to finish the process within the next few days to avoid losing access to essential benefits.
Stating that the government has already provided ample time for beneficiaries to complete their e-KYC, he said ration cards without completed e-KYC will be cancelled, and the beneficiaries will have to surrender the cards.
Beneficiaries have been urged to complete their e-KYC at local Electronic Public Service (EPS) outlets or ration distribution centres. New ration cards will be issued after all eligible beneficiaries under the Public Distribution System (PDS) complete the e-KYC process.
It may be noted that state government officials have been directed to assist beneficiaries living in Odisha and Odias currently residing in other states in completing the verification process.