Odisha MLAs Demand Exclusion of Ghost Beneficiaries from PDS

Odisha MLAs from various parties called for the removal of ghost beneficiaries and inclusion of eligible recipients in the PDS. Speaker Surama Padhy highlighted the issue's gravity, and Minister Krushna Chandra Patra reported that 1.6 million deceased have been removed from beneficiary lists. New measures, including e-KYC updates, are being implemented.

Odisha MLAs from across party lines have called for the exclusion of deceased beneficiaries and the inclusion of eligible new recipients in the public distribution system (PDS). The issue was raised during the question hour in the Assembly, with Speaker Surama Padhy highlighting its critical importance.

Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra responded that 1,627,920 deceased persons have been removed from beneficiary lists under national and state food security schemes. The Odisha government is also updating e-KYC to verify genuine beneficiaries while removing ineligible individuals included by the previous government.

Patra assured that no eligible poor person will be deprived of benefits. He also announced that ration cards will be issued to new eligible recipients and that distribution in remote areas will be streamlined. According to his statement, about 80 per cent of the state’s population is covered under various food security schemes.