Income Tax payers to return Ration Card; Odisha Minister clarifies stance

Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra cleared the air on Thursday on prevalent confusion regarding the return of ration cards by contractual workers across Odisha.

In a statement, Minister Patra specified that the directive was not aimed at all contractual workers, but was meant for those not in substantial positions and with lower income levels. He emphasised saying, “Those earning between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 per month should not encounter any problems concerning the Ration Card policy.”

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The Minister further clarified that those individuals who are liable to file Income Tax (IT) returns, particularly with monthly salaries ranging around Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 per month, are required to relinquish their ration cards. He warned, “Failure to comply may lead to appropriate legal action being taken against those persons.”

“Ration cards are meant for poorer sections of society. I have appealed only to those persons belonging to the higher income groups to return their ration cards as soon as possible. In case they would be found in possession of the cards at a later stage, we will not spare anyone,” the Food Supplies Minister reiterated.

Worth mentioning, the Odisha government has announced an extension to the deadline for completing the electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification process for Ration Cards till February 15, the Food Supplies Minister informed earlier in the day.

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Initially set for January 31, the last date for e-KYC update has been extended. The Minister acknowledged that the extension will provide additional time to beneficiaries.

Ration Card verification of approximately 40 lakh PDS beneficiaries across the State is still pending. The e-KYC procedure is essential for bona fide beneficiaries to continue receiving their subsidies under various welfare schemes of the Government.