Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has cancelled 34,939 ineligible ration cards over the past two years, affecting a total of 1,25,963 family members, Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra told the state assembly on Wednesday.
In a written reply to a question by senior Congress leader and Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Minister Patra said that in addition to the cancelled cards, 7,75,064 deceased persons have been removed from the ration card database to ensure its accuracy.
He further stated that under the National Food Security Act, the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category comprises 12,38,321 families with 34,35,642 members, while the Priority Household (PHH) category covers 85,59,251 families comprising 2,88,54,050 members.
Minister Patra also informed that the state currently has 1,00,96,299 ration card beneficiary families, covering a total of 3,28,52,433 members.
In Koraput district, 1,426 ineligible ration card holders, with a total of 4,953 family members, have had their cards cancelled.
Minister Patra emphasised that these steps form part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that benefits reach only eligible families, reduce duplication, and maintain the integrity of the public distribution system.
