Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is all set issue new ration cards to eligible beneficiaries very soon as part of its efforts to make the public distribution system (PDS) more effective.
The decision to distribute the new ration cards has been taken following scrutiny and exclusion of ineligible PDS beneficiaries from food security schemes.
Official sources said the new applicants and addition of new members in the existing ration cards will get coloured NFSA (National Food Security Act) and SFSS (State Food Security Scheme) ration cards.
In a communication to district collectors, the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has has informed about the district/block/ULB level function for distribution of ration cards to the left-out eligible applicants. The officials have been directed to ensure the preparation of these ration cards by April 22.
As per the letter, instructions will be issued to all block development officers (BDOs), municipal commissioners/executive officers to generate coloured ration card PDFs from the system (both sides) by April 20 and laminate the same. The laminated copies of ration cards will be kept with the Block/ULB offices which will be distributed to beneficiaries by MPs or MLAs and other dignitaries by organising functions.
As pre the official decision, the new ration card will be 6-inch-long and 4-inch-wide. It will come with A4 Size Paper and glossy. The cost of printing and lamination of ration cards should not exceed Rs 10/- per card.
It has been sated that the printing and lamination of cards of beneficiaries must be completed by April 22 for the formal launch of distribution in a public function at venue as decided by Collector.
The department will intimate the venue and date for formal launch of distribution of new ration cards to the eligible beneficiaries very soon, the sources added.
