February 25th 2025.
Bhubaneswar: The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare minister of Odisha, Krushna Chandra Patra, addressed concerns on Tuesday regarding the cancellation of ration cards for individuals who file income tax returns. He clarified that eligible individuals will not be removed from the Public Distribution System (PDS) list.
Patra explained that the decision to cancel ration cards is based on a physical verification of income for individuals who file IT returns. He further assured the media that the department has been instructed to conduct door-to-door visits to verify the income of such ration card holders.
The list of beneficiaries subject to income verification has been sent to field-level officials for further action, according to Patra.
He also mentioned that families earning more than Rs 10,000 per month in rural areas and Rs 15,000 per month in urban areas will not be included in the PDS.
Patra clarified, "I want to assure you that ration cards of poor people will not be cancelled. Only those who have seen an improvement in their financial status or any affluent individuals who have obtained a ration card will be removed from the PDS list."
However, the minister's statement has drawn criticism from opposition parties, BJD and Congress, for frequently changing the norms and causing confusion among the poor population in the state.
BJD legislator Pratap Keshari Deb questioned the minister's decision to make a statement and then change it. He suggested that the minister should hold discussions with department officers before making public statements to avoid damaging the reputation of his position and department.
Similarly, Congress MLA Pabitra Saunta pointed out the lack of coordination among different statements from the minister, the secretary, and other officers due to the "double-engine government's" multiple policies.
In a written statement to the state Assembly on February 19, the minister shared that 3,28,932 deceased individuals have been identified and removed from the ration card database during the ongoing e-KYC process. Additionally, 61,882 ineligible beneficiaries have also been removed from the database through field verification.
As of now, 2.99 crore beneficiaries have completed the e-KYC process, while 32.82 lakh beneficiaries are yet to do so. The e-KYC verification for the remaining beneficiaries is expected to be completed by March 2025, according to Patra.
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