No e-KYC, no rice: Odisha govt suspends ration for 20.58 lakh beneficiaries

The Odisha government has suspended rice distribution to over 20.58 lakh beneficiaries who have not completed the mandatory e-KYC for their ration cards, informed Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushnachandra Patra on Tuesday.

Addressing the media, the minister said the government will wait for three months for the pending e-KYC to be completed. During this period, the ration cards of those beneficiaries will remain suspended. If e-KYC is not done within the stipulated time, their cards will be permanently cancelled.

However, those who complete the process even after the suspension period will become eligible to receive rice once again, Patra clarified.

To address connectivity issues, especially in remote areas, the government has installed mobile network boosters and ensured better infrastructure to facilitate e-KYC enrollment. The minister added that children above five years of age will now be included under ration card coverage.

“Around 20.58 lakh people have not done eKYC. Their rice distribution has been suspended. Once they do their eKYC verification, they will get the rice,” the minister said.

Further, Patra said, “Districts that have poor network connectivity, the government has installed mobile network boosters and ensured better infrastructure to facilitate e-KYC enrollment. If someone fails to do it, they must visit district centres and do the needful.”