Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has halted distribution of ration supplies to ineligible cardholders as part of its ongoing efforts to streamline the public distribution system.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra made this announcement while responding to a query from BJD legislator Aswini Kumar Patra in the Odisha Assembly.
The Minister revealed that a total of 22,293 ineligible ration cards have been identified and cancelled so far. These cancellations affect approximately 84,757 individuals linked to the invalid cards.
Patra emphasized that the identification and removal of ineligible beneficiaries through field verification is a routine process under the provisions of the Odisha State Food Security Act, 2020.
Cuttack district topped the list with the highest number of cancellations, accounting for 2,554 ineligible ration cards and 9,828 associated members as of March 6, 2025.
The move underscores the state government’s commitment to ensuring that welfare schemes reach only those who are genuinely eligible, thereby enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the public distribution system.
Further details on the ongoing verification process and additional measures to curb misuse of ration cards are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
