Bhubaneswar, March 12: The Odisha government has taken steps to enhance the efficiency of its Public Distribution System (PDS) by canceling 22,293 ineligible ration cards, affecting around 84,757 individuals.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announced in the Odisha Assembly, responding to a query from BJD legislator Aswini Kumar Patra. He stated that the cancellation process is part of routine field verification under the Odisha State Food Security Act, 2020.
Among the districts, Cuttack recorded the highest number of cancellations, with 2,554 ineligible ration cards and 9,828 affected beneficiaries as of March 6, 2025.
The state government reiterated its commitment to ensuring ration supplies reach only genuine beneficiaries, reinforcing transparency and efficiency in welfare schemes. Additional measures and updates on the verification process are expected in the coming weeks.
