Bhubaneswar, Sept 24: Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Wednesday informed that a total of 3,87,819 new beneficiaries have been added under the State’s Food Security Scheme over the past 16 months.
In a written reply to a question by Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous, Minister Krushna Chandra Patra informed the State Assembly that the beneficiaries were added between June 2024 and September 2025.
Patra highlighted the status in the Barabati-Cuttack constituency and said that 5,681 applications are currently pending, with field verification in progress. Eligible applicants will be issued new ration cards based on existing vacancies under the scheme.
The Minister further noted that priority is being given to applications from senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities.
He added that, as of now, eKYC has been completed for 95% of eligible Public Distribution System (PDS) beneficiaries, and the process is expected to be fully completed by October 31, 2025.
