Bhubaneswar, Sep 11: In a significant development, Odisha’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announced that the state’s eKYC verification drive has uncovered widespread irregularities in the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Speaking to the media, Patra revealed that over 5.75 lakh ration cards were found to be issued in the names of deceased individuals, and rice was being collected fraudulently under their names.

The eKYC process, which links Aadhaar details and biometric verification to ration cards, has also led to 1.05 lakh high-income individuals voluntarily surrendering their cards, acknowledging they were not eligible. As a result, 6 lakh genuine poor beneficiaries have now received ration cards, ensuring food security reaches the right hands.

Patra further stated that 14 lakh applicants had been waiting for ration cards, and the department is working to expedite their inclusion. Officers have been instructed to identify and cancel cards held by affluent individuals, especially those who have wrongly obtained Antyodaya cards, which are meant for the poorest families.

The minister emphasized that the government’s priority is to ensure that only eligible and needy citizens benefit from subsidized food grains. Raids are underway to detect misuse, and officials have been directed to focus on restoring fairness and transparency in the system.