Bhubaneswar, Jun 30: The Odisha Government has announced a major update regarding the distribution of subsidized rice under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Starting this month, beneficiaries who have not completed their electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification will no longer receive their monthly rice allotments.

According to the Odisha Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, the last date of Government’s e-KYC happens to be today, with approximately 20.58 lakh ration card holders yet to complete the process. These individuals will have their ration cards temporarily suspended for three months, during which no rice will be provided.

However, if affected families complete their e-KYC within this grace period, their ration cards will be reinstated and benefits will resume. Failure to do so within the stipulated window will result in permanent cancellation of their ration cards.

“This is a necessary step to ensure transparency and prevent duplication or misuse in beneficiary lists,” the Minister said. “The goal is to ensure food reaches only eligible and verified citizens.”

The government had earlier extended the e-KYC deadline, but the new enforcement signals a shift to stricter compliance. Beneficiaries are now being urged to visit their nearest ration outlets or designated centres to complete their verification immediately.

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