Bhubaneswar, Jan 18: Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra today revealed that during the previous BJD government in Odisha, around 4 lakh income taxpayers had been issued ration cards intended for economically disadvantaged beneficiaries.
Patra informed that the government is now taking steps to remove ineligible beneficiaries from the food security scheme, and a thorough verification process has begun.
"The ration cards of income taxpayers will be canceled once the verification process is completed," Patra said, adding that officers have been instructed to conduct detailed field checks.
The verification is based on data collected from applicants, and once the full information is received, the cards of ineligible taxpayers will be revoked. As part of the ongoing process, over 4.1 million applicants are updating their electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) details.
Patra stressed that this drive will not only address the issue of ineligible taxpayers but also help identify ‘ghost’ ration cardholders, ensuring that the benefits of the food security scheme reach the rightful beneficiaries.
