Bhubaneswar, 19 February (H.S.): The Odisha government has identified over 3 lakh deceased ration card beneficiaries during the eKYC (Know Your Customer) verification process and has removed their names from the Public Distribution System (PDS) database, announced Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra in the Assembly today.

In response to a query by BJD MLA Ganeswar Behera regarding the completion of eKYC verification and the identification of ghost beneficiaries, the Minister revealed that a total of 3,28,932 ghost beneficiaries were found to be receiving ration card benefits. These names were flagged during the eKYC process and have since been removed from the PDS records. Keonjhar reported the highest number of fake beneficiaries, totaling 38,550, followed by Ganjam (25,789), Mayurbhanj (23,799), and Rayagada (22,411).

Patra emphasized the government's ongoing efforts to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries from the food security coverage list and to enhance the transparency of the ration card database. According to his written reply, a total of 2,99,50,890 PDS beneficiaries in Odisha have completed the eKYC process. Of these, 2,98,14,921 beneficiaries underwent verification within the state, while 1,35,899 completed it outside Odisha.

Patra also provided data on the number of ration card holders who have completed eKYC in the state and the deceased beneficiaries identified during the process. The Odisha government implemented Aadhaar-based e-KYC verification for the year 2024-25.

Out of the total 3,36,35,918 PDS beneficiaries in the state, verification has been completed for 2,99,50,890 individuals. The names of deceased beneficiaries have been removed from the ration card database, and the vacated slots will be reallocated to eligible applicants, ensuring food security for deserving families, the Minister added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda