Bhubaneswar: In a bid to strengthen the Public Distribution System (PDS), the Odisha government has directed officials to issue ration cards to eligible beneficiaries who have been left out or are new applicants.
As per a letter issued by the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department, the ration cards are to be prepared by April 22, and district collectors across the state have been instructed to ensure timely completion. The formal launch of the distribution of new ration cards will be announced separately.
The department has directed Block Development Officers (BDOs) and municipal commissioners to generate coloured ration card PDFs by April 20 and laminate them. The laminated ration cards will be kept at Block or Urban Local Body (ULB) offices and distributed to beneficiaries in ceremonies organised by MPs, MLAs, and other dignitaries.
“Instructions shall be issued to all Block Development Officers, Municipal Commissioners/Executive Officers to generate the coloured ration card pdfs from the system (both sides) by 20thApril 2025 and laminate the same. The laminated copies of ration cards shall be kept with the Block/ULB offices which will be distributed to the beneficiaries by organizing functions, through Hon’ble Member of Parliament (MP)/Honble Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and other dignitaries as decided by the Collector,” read the letter.
