BHUBANESWAR: In a major decision for widening food security coverage and plugging leakages in the public distribution system (PDS), the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday approved a significant revision of income eligibility norms for ration card holders.
As per the decision, households with a monthly family income of up to Rs 15,000 in rural areas and Rs 20,000 in urban areas will now be eligible to receive subsidised foodgrains.
The earlier income ceiling stood at Rs 10,000 per month for rural households and Rs 15,000 for urban areas. The cabinet approved proposals of the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department to amend existing laws and rules governing the PDS.
Apart from expanding eligibility, the cabinet also cleared a set of stringent measures to curb misuse of PDS benefits, particularly in the names of deceased beneficiaries. Under the amended provisions, beneficiaries will be deleted immediately from the ration card management system (RCMS) after death. The responsibility of reporting such deaths has been fixed on the head of the household or an authorised family member.
In cases where facts relating to the death of any family member are suppressed and PDS benefits continue to be drawn fraudulently, the government will recover the subsidised foodgrains. As per the decision, at least 1.5 times the quantity of commodities availed in the name of the deceased will be deducted from the household’s subsequent monthly ntitlement or the cost will be recovered at the prevailing market price.
The amendments have been proposed to comply with the directions of the Orissa High Court to address misuse of PDS benefits drawn in the names of deceased ration card holders, chief secretary Anu Garg said.
The proposed changes would strengthen the integrity of the PDS. “These amendments will prevent fraud, ensure accuracy of the database and safeguard public resources. The measures aim to reduce waste and ensure that benefits reach only genuine needy sections, thereby improving food security and efficiency of the system,” she said.
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Directorate of prosecution in every district
Odisha govt to release central share for Jal Jeevan Mission from state funds
Tender for `341 crore for underground pipeline of integrated Anandpur Barrage
Tender of `190 crore for six lift irrigation schemes in Ganjam district