Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has said in clear-cut terms that there will be no more extension of date for e-KYC update of ration cards.
15 February is the last late for the update, said Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said on 9 February.
Minister Shri Patra said those who do not upgrade their data will be denied benefits under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Shri Patra said, “There will be no further extension, and strict action will be taken against the fraudulent beneficiaries who hold ration cards.”
Food Minister said so far, 37,85,496 people have not updated their e-KYC. “Failing to update the e-KYC by February 15 will be considered as surrendering the ration cards,” Shri Patra said.
While expressing wonder, he pointed out that around 8 lakh Income Tax payers had obtained ration cards in their names,.
Minister also said some people had obtained the ration cards to be eligible for the free health service being provided by the state government. “After the cancellation of the ration cards, their health cards will also be rejected,” the minister said.
The Minister alleged that around 8 lakh people had obtained ration cards fraudulently, including government employees and influential people. “Around 20,000 such people have so far surrendered their ration cards,” informed he.
While urging the ineligible beneficiaries to surrender their ration cards and others to update and verify their e-KYC by 15 February, the Minister said around 6 lakh people have, meanwhile, applied for fresh ration cards.
Minister said the beneficiaries have been urged to complete their e-KYC at local Electronic Public Service (EPS) outlets or ration distribution centres. The new ration cards will be issued after all eligible beneficiaries under the PDS complete the e-KYC process.
Earlier, the State Government had extended the deadline for e-KYC update from December 31 to January 31 and later till February 15.
A total of 3.26 crore people are beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and 10.03 lakh people have been covered under the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS), sources said.