Bhubaneswar, December 17: Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Tuesday announced that the Odisha government will distribute 15 lakh new ration cards to eligible beneficiaries starting from the New Year.

The minister said the state has received 15.33 lakh applications so far, of which 6.39 lakh ration cards have already been issued.

He added that 8.16 lakh ineligible cards—belonging to income tax payers, salaried employees, and deceased beneficiaries—have been removed from the list.

Patra further informed that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved an additional 15 lakh ration cards, and the distribution process will commence shortly.