Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announced on Tuesday that ration card holders in Odisha who have not finished their e-KYC verification will not be able to get rice starting next month.

According to the Minister, the Central Government halted the e-KYC procedure, which led to this decision. In the state, around 15.67 lakh beneficiaries have not yet finished their e-KYC. Even while they are currently still receiving rice, individuals who do not finish the process will no longer receive it starting next month.

Minister Patra explained that the state government will extend the e-KYC deadline if the central government does. Recipients who are excluded can file a written appeal for review.

The Minister noted that the government is now thinking about expanding this benefit to other districts as well. In certain districts, beneficiaries have already received an extra five kilogrammes of rice.

"The e-KYC procedure has been halted by the centre. Rice will not be given to those who have not finished their e-KYC verification. For a considerable amount of time—seven to eight months—we prolonged the e-KYC deadline. It won't be prolonged any further. "Any beneficiaries who are excluded can submit a written appeal for consideration," stated Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare.