WitRation card holders in Odisha face a critical deadline to complete their e-KYC verification today, or risk a three-month suspension of benefits.
The Odisha government, through its Supplies Minister, has issued a stern warning, noting that over 2.58 million cardholders have yet to comply.
The initiative, aimed at curbing leakages in the Public Distribution System (PDS) using Aadhaar-based authentication, requires holders to verify their identities via biometric or OTP methods by the end of the day.
Failure to meet this deadline will suspend ration cards for three months, with reactivation possible only after e-KYC completion within that period. Non-compliance beyond this could lead to permanent cancellation. The policy, inspired by successful Aadhaar-PDS linkages reducing leakages by 10-20% (per a 2021 NIPFP study), seeks to ensure subsidies reach genuine beneficiaries. However, rural areas with limited digital access face challenges, raising concerns about exclusion.
Authorities are urging immediate action at local centres, with police monitoring compliance. This move mirrors global trends, like Egypt’s ration card reforms, but Odisha’s strict timeline adds urgency. As the deadline nears, the government promises support, yet the clock is ticking for millions.
