Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a three-month grace period for beneficiaries under the Public Distribution System (PDS) who have yet to complete the mandatory e-KYC process linked to their ration cards.
The decision was disclosed by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Tuesday during a media briefing.
“Rice distribution has been temporarily halted for more than 20.58 lakh beneficiaries across the state due to non-compliance with the e-KYC requirement,” Patra stated.
He clarified that the ration cards of affected persons have not been cancelled but temporarily suspended. These beneficiaries must complete the e-KYC verification within the stipulated three-month window to continue availing subsidised food grains.
“Failure to complete the process within this period will lead to the permanent deactivation of their ration cards,” the minister warned.
The state government has urged all PDS beneficiaries who have not yet updated their details to do so immediately at designated centres or online portals, to avoid permanent loss of entitlements.
The e-KYC drive is part of the government’s effort to streamline the PDS system, eliminate ineligible beneficiaries, and ensure transparency in food grain distribution.
