Not in ration card list? Portal for application to open tomorrow, says Odisha Minister

In a significant development, those who have been left out from the ration card list in Odisha might have some respite.

Beginning tomorrow, a new online portal will reportedly be available for the applicants seeking inclusion into the ration scheme. This was announced by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, during a visit to Sambalpur on Friday.

Commencement of the portal

Minister Patra informed that the portal will become operational from March 1, enabling eligible residents to apply for ration cards. This initiative aims to address discrepancies within the ration distribution system.  A total of four lakh deceased individuals have been excluded from the list so far.

Must Read: Over 40 lakh ghost ration card holders found in Odisha so far: Minister

Systemic reforms and surveys

According to Minister Patra, the government will conduct thorough surveys to rectify past errors, ensuring that non-eligible entries are eliminated, thereby refining the integrity of the ration distribution system.

“Non-eligible entries were added in the ration card list during the tenure of the previous government that ruled for 24 years. Now, it is being revised. A total of four lakh individuals have been excluded from the list through e-KYC verification,” said Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra.

“After my request, some job holders have surrendered their ration cards. We have also got the list of some income tax payers. We will conduct a survey. Those who have really good income, they will be excluded from the list. Those who are poor people will be included in the list. The online portal will be available for the applicants from tomorrow,” the Minister added.