647 govt Babus availing PDS benefits in 3 blocks of Balasore, reveals e-KYC verification

Several cases of government ration supplies misuse have surfaced in Balasore, following the verification of electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC). Public sector employees, including engineers, teachers, and Goods and Services Tax (GST) officers, have been found to be availing the benefits, sources said on Monday.

Also Read: e-KYC deadline set by Odisha for ration card; non-compliance to result in cancellation

According to the sources, a finding in Baliapal block has identified at least 165 government employees alleged to have illegitimately accessed food rations meant for economically disadvantaged families. In response, local officials have actively encouraged the District Collector to initiate actions against the wrongdoers.

The scandal involves those in education, healthcare, and taxation, redirecting the subsidised food grains like rice and wheat for personal gain. The State’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department is working swiftly to annul these ineligible ration cards.

Key figures in the investigation include Mukundadev Padaray, a junior engineer, allegedly linked with ration card number 02020110473 from Aladiha village, and Janmejay Patra, a GST officer from Badhapala village. In addition, individuals such as Purnachandra Das, the principal of Subarnarekha College in Baliapal, Shyamghan Barik, a homeopathy doctor from Narayanpur and presently working as a medical officer, and Rakesh Rout from Bagada village, working as a Sub-Inspector of Police (SI), have also been named.

Similarly, in Bhogarai and Jaleswar blocks, the e-KYC process has exposed misuse by around 302 and 180 officials, respectively.
The revelations have triggered public outrage towards the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government, with accusations citing a failure to maintain oversight.

Must Read: Odisha extends deadline for e-KYC verification of eligible ration card beneficiaries

Odisha Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra assured that stringent measures will be taken following verification of the e-KYC findings. “I appeal to all of them in government service, who have been availing the PDS benefits, to return their ration cards. After the e-KYC verification process is over, appropriate actions will be taken against the wrongdoers. The number of such persons appears to be much more,” the Minister said.

Reported By: Ajit Das, Prakash Mohanty, Soumya Ranjan Sahoo