State Government Cracks Down on Fraudulent Ration Cards, Implements New Measures

Odisha’s Food Supply Dept. cracks down on bogus ration cards, introduces electronic weighing and POS systems to ensure accurate rice distribution.

Rourkela, Odisha : In a sweeping move to clean up the public distribution system (PDS), the Odisha government is intensifying efforts to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries from the ration list. The Food Supply Department has launched a rigorous crackdown on fraudulent ration cards and has introduced new systems to ensure accurate distribution of rice.

Fraudulent Cards Under Scrutiny

The drive to remove ineligible beneficiaries from the ration list has seen significant progress. Previously, 4,000 bogus ration cards were revoked in Rourkela city alone. Now, over 3,000 more cards have been cut, with more expected to be removed in the coming days. Preliminary investigations indicate that around 20% of the 65,000 ration cards in the city—approximately 13,000 cards—are likely to be invalidated.

New Measures to Ensure Transparency

To enhance transparency and accuracy, the Food Supply Department has introduced electronic weighing machines across ration shops. These machines will be connected to Point of Sale (POS) systems, ensuring that beneficiaries receive rice in correct quantities. This system has already been implemented as a trial in one ration shop in the city, with plans to extend it to all ration shops and Self-Help Group (S.H.G.) points in the urban areas.

An independent team has been formed to rigorously check each ration shop and S.H.G. to verify the number of valid cards and ensure compliance. Additionally, steps are being taken to prevent tampering with rice weights by women operating the ration shops and S.H.G.s. The state government will provide the necessary electronic equipment to enforce these measures.

Future Plans and Impact

The food supply department is preparing to roll out these measures in rural areas in the next phase. The department aims to make the PDS system more reliable and accountable. If successful, these initiatives will hold ration shopkeepers, S.H.G.s, and transportation agencies responsible for any discrepancies in rice distribution.

The effectiveness of these new measures will be closely monitored, with an emphasis on ensuring that the reforms lead to fair and transparent distribution of essential food supplies.