Bhubaneswar, Sept 4: State Food Suppliers Minister Krushna Chandra Patra has cleared the clouds over the issuance of new ration cards' Wednesday.

During the ongoing Budget Session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly, Patra has said that the new ration cards will be issued by the end of this month.

"We have got around 10 lakh applications for new ration cards. The new cards will be issued by the end of this month," stated Krushna Chandra Patra, who also holds the Ministry of Consumer Welfare as well as Science & Technology.

The process of e-KYC verification is already underway. The applicants are instructed to complete their Aadhaar seeding and KYC verification through e-PoS machines at PDS dealer points by September 25 in an attempt to eliminate ineligible persons from the food security program.

The government has identified more than 16 lakhs ghost ration cards, which prompted the initiation of this verification process. The new ration cards will be issued to those who meet the criteria set under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), said the Consumer Welfare Minister.

Slamming Former Government

The Food Suppliers Minister has taken a dig at the former state government, led by current Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik over the appointments of ineligible candidates in important positions.

"The former government had appointed a coal thief as the Odisha State Food Commission chairperson," stated Krushna Chandra Patra. "There are lot of IAS and OAS applicants, but why a BA-pass candidate or ineligible persons are selected for major positions," questioned Patra.

"Not only that, the former government was paying that thief, that dacoit Rs 3 lakh per month. It looked like a move to please the non-Odia officers," alleged the Food Suppliers Minister. "That thief was using his position to run his transportation business," Krushna Chandra Patra said further.

"A committee will be formed soon and a thorough investigation will be done. If we find any irregularities, strict action will be taken," assured Patra.

Targeting 5T Bag Project

The Consumer Welfare Minister also slammed the BJD government for their 5T bag project. "The former government spent around Rs 250 crore in jute bags for the party's marketing," said Patra. According to the Consumer Welfare Minister, the former govt distributed two bags along with Rs 1000 per family.

"The BJD government had spent Rs 247,37,64,297 (247 crore 36 lakh 64 thousand and 297 rupees) for the distribution of those jute bags. A budget of Rs 959,05,26,000 (959 crore 5 lakh and 26 thousand rupees) was allotted for the jute bag project," revealed Krushna Chandra Patra.

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