Bhubaneswar: The State Government will very soon start distribution of ration cards to about 5.90 lakh new beneficiaries, informed Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra here today.
“We have requested Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to launch distribution of the new ration cards from Dhenkanal. After he gives his consent, the process will start. Then, it will be expanded to other parts of the State,” Shri Patra told media persons.
Nearly about 9.50 lakh people would get new ration cards soon, he said, while appealing to the poor left out people to apply for ration cards as the portal still remains open for them.
He also informed that nearly 25 lakh beneficiaries have not completed their e-KYC till now.
Recently, the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has directed Collectors to issue ration cards to eligible beneficiaries who have been left out or are new applicants.
The Collectors have been asked to complete preparation of the new ration cards by April 22. The formal launch of the distribution of new ration cards will be announced separately.
The department has directed Block Development Officers (BDOs) and municipal commissioners to generate coloured ration card PDFs by April 20 and laminate them. The laminated ration cards will be kept at Block or Urban Local Body (ULB) offices and distributed to beneficiaries in ceremonies organised by MPs, MLAs, and other dignitaries.
A total of 3.25 crore people in the state are beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), while another 6.48 lakh people have been covered under the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS).