16.28 Lakh Ghost Ration Card Holders In Odisha : Food Supplies Minister

Bhubaneswar: Over 16 lakh ghost ration card holders exist under Odisha’s food security scheme, stated Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra in the Odisha Assembly on Wednesday.

The Assembly session witnessed uproar today over the ration card issue. Minister Patra acknowledged the exploitation of ration cards by the affluent during the BJD government’s tenure, in response to BJP MLAs’ grave allegations.

The Minister revealed that approximately 16.28 lakh ghost ration card holders have been identified. He further announced the cancellation of ineligible and ghost ration card holders, noting that previous inspections uncovered misuse by the wealthy.

Patra assured that no eligible individual’s ration card would be cancelled; instead, genuine beneficiaries would receive their due cards. To date, over 16,27,932 ghost ration card holders have been identified, with 6,19,836 new applications pending approval.

Patra mentioned that the Odisha government has initiated KYC updates to verify legitimate beneficiaries and is poised to introduce Aadhar-based e-KYC verification for greater transparency.

Following this scrutiny, the issuance of new ration cards will commence. Additionally, individuals who have separated from their parents will receive individual ration cards, ensuring all family members are covered.

The government also plans to deliver rations directly to the elderly at home. For those unable to visit the panchayat office for ration collection, home delivery of rice and other PDS items will be arranged, the Minister said.

Similarly, a special biometric system will be implemented for beneficiaries whose thumb impressions do not match due to age or other factors. In such cases, officials will visit their homes to collect the thumb impressions.

The Food Supplies Minister assured that no ration card would be cancelled due to political reasons or any other factors. Eligible individuals will receive ration cards. During the e-KYC process, Aadhaar cards will be linked, and the retinal scan of all family members will be done, except for absent cardholders.