Odisha Minister Assures IT Return Filers Will Not Be Removed from PDS List

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister, Krushna Chandra Patra, clarified on Tuesday that eligible ration cardholders who file income tax (IT) returns will not be removed from the Public Distribution System (PDS) list.

The minister’s statement came after reports surfaced of ration cards being cancelled for individuals who had filed IT returns. Addressing the concerns, Patra assured that no eligible beneficiary would lose their entitlement under the PDS.

“I want to make it clear that the ration cards of any eligible person will not be cancelled. We will conduct physical verification to assess the income of ration card holders who file IT returns,” he told media persons in Bhubaneswar.

The state government’s move to review the eligibility of ration cardholders aligns with its efforts to ensure that benefits reach the deserving population while preventing misuse of the scheme. The verification process will help determine whether individuals meet the income criteria for receiving subsidized food grains.

The minister’s assurance aims to dispel concerns among beneficiaries and reinforce the government’s commitment to a fair and transparent PDS system.