Odisha Govt to cancel ration cards issued illegally to foreign nationals

FOLLOWING the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, including one from Odisha, the state government has decided to cancel ration cards illegally issued to foreign nationals over the years, officials said on Monday.

- PBD BUREAU/PTI

Speaking to reporters, state Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister KC Patra said all district collectors have been instructed to immediately revoke ration cards issued to Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Burmese nationals residing in the state.

"We have tightened our stance after the terror attack. Foreign nationals staying across the state must not avail the benefits meant for Indian citizens," Patra said.

The Minister said ration cards illegally issued to foreign nationals over the years must be cancelled immediately.

Patra said the foreign nationals mostly stay in Balasore, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts located along the state's coastal belt.

He asserted that the administration would soon identify the foreigners availing the benefits.

Apart from 11 Pakistanis, the state government has so far identified 3,738 Bangladeshis staying illegally in the state. However, the government has no data on the number of Burmese people in the state, home department sources said.