Odisha Assembly Walkout Over Ration Card Controversy

Members of the BJD and Congress staged a walkout in the Odisha Assembly to protest against the alleged cancellation of over eight lakh ration cards for poor people. The state government denied the allegations, stating cancellations were due to ineligibility and e-KYC verification, aiming to save costs.

Tensions ran high in the Odisha Assembly as BJD and Congress members walked out, protesting the alleged cancellation of over eight lakh ration cards. The government dismissed the claims, asserting that the cards were revoked after an e-KYC verification identified them as ineligible.

Minister KC Patra revealed that the cancelled cards predominantly belonged to deceased persons, government employees, and Income Tax payees. He emphasized that the initiative aimed to eliminate ineligible cards and save the state a substantial sum of Rs 210 crore annually.

Critics argue that genuine beneficiaries were unfairly targeted. BJD and Congress leaders accused the BJP-led government of adopting policies that disenfranchise the poor. Meanwhile, proponents within the BJP defended the government's actions as a necessary measure against fraudulent claims.

(With inputs from agencies.)