‘Mandatory’ E-KYC update in ration card within 1 month: Odias working in other states left in lurch, minister responds

Migrant and unorganised sector workers working in other states are rushing to villages, spending thousands of rupees, due to unclear communication and fear of ration card cancellation, thanks to reports of mandatory E-KYC updates in ration cards within 1 month.

The beneficiaries are required to reach their nearest panchayat offices and get their KYC updated within a month. This has spread panic among Odias working in other states who are worried about being left out.

While the Opposition has targeted the Mohan Majhi government to immediately halt the E-KYC process, citing concerns over the marginalized sections being left out, migrant workers and labourers have demanded the BJP government to reconsider the decision and extend the time for the verification process.

“People from my village are working in Surat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, and many other places. How can they give their E-KYC? If by any chance, they fail to show up for the E-KYC, their ration cards will be withdrawn. So, I request the government to reconsider the decision,” said Dandapani Das, Khallikote resident.

“We have been directed by the government to verify every member of a family. Biometric is compulsory for all the beneficiaries,” informed a dealer in Balasore.

Speaking to OTV, Nirad Ranjan Das, Balasore, Chief Civil Supplies Officer, said, “All the beneficiaries who are getting ration will get their biometrics verified, to prove if they are alive or dead. We have all the data with us. This is being done just for an update.”

Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Wednesday informed the House that the E-KYC update was not mandatory within a stipulated time frame. In the absence of Consumer Welfare Minister, Suraj informed that E-KYC is not mandatory within a stipulated time.

However, he appealed to the people to get the process completed at the earliest.