Bhubaneswar, 11 March (H.S.): The Odisha government has cancelled 34,939 ineligible ration cards in the past two years, affecting a total of 1,25,963 family members, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra informed the State Assembly on Wednesday.

In a written reply to a question raised by senior Congress leader and Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, the Minister stated that the government has also removed 7,75,064 deceased persons from the ration card database to maintain accuracy and transparency in the system.

Providing details about the coverage under the National Food Security Act, Patra said the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category currently includes 12,38,321 families with a total of 34,35,642 members. Meanwhile, the Priority Household (PHH) category covers 85,59,251 families comprising 2,88,54,050 members.

The Minister further informed the House that the state currently has 1,00,96,299 ration card beneficiary families, covering a total of 3,28,52,433 members.

In Koraput district alone, 1,426 ineligible ration card holders, involving 4,953 family members, have had their cards cancelled during the review process.

Patra emphasised that the cancellation drive is part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that the benefits of the public distribution system reach only eligible families, eliminate duplication, and strengthen transparency and efficiency in welfare delivery.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda