The Odisha government clarified that ration cards would not be cancelled based on income criteria without direct verification.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announced this in the Assembly while addressing opposition claims about potential ration card cuts for individuals earning ₹10,000 in rural areas and ₹15,000 in urban areas.
Patra emphasized that the government has not decided to cancel ration cards solely based on income. Instead, a list of higher-income beneficiaries has been prepared and sent to districts for direct verification. Department officials will investigate each case before reporting back, ensuring that proper guidelines guide decisions.
The Minister revealed that over 91% of beneficiaries have completed e-KYC verification, covering over 3 crore individuals. Among them, 4.31 lakh deceased beneficiaries have been removed from the ration card database, along with other ineligible families. These steps have paved the way for including deserving applicants in the food security system while also saving ₹9.94 crore monthly in avoided wastage.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has reportedly instructed strict measures to streamline paddy procurement and prevent irregularities. Actions have already been taken against 61 cooperative officers and two food supply officials for violations. Additionally, 18 rice mills have been sealed following complaints.
Patra concluded that the state government remains committed to ensuring transparency and fairness in its ration distribution policies and food security programs.
