Major Directive from Odisha Government: Ration Cards of Ineligible Beneficiaries to be Cancelled

Odisha to cancel ration cards for ineligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana; 8 lakh new cards to be issued.

Bhubaneswar, Odisha : In a significant move, the Odisha government has issued a directive aimed at ensuring only eligible beneficiaries continue to receive free rations under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The state is preparing to cancel the ration cards of those deemed ineligible, impacting numerous households across Odisha.

Government Initiative to Streamline Ration Distribution

The Food Supply Department has announced that the process of identifying and excluding ineligible beneficiaries has commenced. As part of this initiative, KYC updates are being conducted. The ration cards of individuals who do not meet the eligibility criteria will be terminated to ensure that only those genuinely in need receive the benefits.

Impact on Beneficiaries

The state government’s directive highlights that some ration cards will soon be cut, resulting in the discontinuation of free rice and wheat for certain households. This measure aims to prevent ineligible individuals from infringing upon the rights of deserving beneficiaries.

Eligibility Criteria and Compliance

The government has set specific criteria for ration card eligibility. Ration cardholders must not be taxpayers and should live below the poverty line, with an annual income not exceeding ₹2 lakh. Furthermore, households possessing a four-wheeler are not eligible for the scheme.

Identifying Ineligible Cardholders

The directive also targets individuals who, despite owning vehicles, have been availing themselves of free rations. The authorities are taking steps to identify such cases to ensure that the benefits reach the truly needy.

Process for New Applicants

Individuals who have not yet applied for a ration card must complete the application process. Following the verification of their information, the authorities will publish a list of eligible beneficiaries and issue ration cards accordingly.

Expansion of Beneficiary Base

In a related development, the state government plans to issue new ration cards to approximately 8 lakh additional beneficiaries. Food Supply Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announced that the state has received applications from 6,19,836 families awaiting ration cards. The verification process is underway, and the government has set 12 'automatic inclusion' and 10 'exclusion' criteria to streamline the selection of new beneficiaries.

Ensuring Transparency

To maintain transparency and accuracy, the government is conducting e-KYC verifications. This step aims to ensure that the data of beneficiaries is clean and transparent, facilitating the smooth issuance of new ration cards.

The Odisha government's stringent measures are designed to ensure that the benefits of the free ration distribution scheme reach the right people. By eliminating ineligible beneficiaries, the state aims to uphold the integrity of the welfare program and support the truly needy citizens of Odisha.