Ration Card: Good news for common people. The government is making strides to enhance the transparency of the national ration distribution system. By eliminating millions of ineligible recipients from the Public Distribution System (PDS), around 30 million new eligible individuals are now eligible for ration cards. Union Food Minister Prahlad Joshi announced that states are authorized to include eligible families to ensure that government benefits reach those who truly require assistance.
Efforts are ongoing at the central level to improve the efficiency and transparency of the Public Distribution System (PDS). A significant decision has been made regarding ration card holders, as confirmed by Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi. After filtering out fake and unqualified beneficiaries, it is anticipated that about 30 million new ration cards will be issued nationwide.
Joshi revealed that the Food Ministry identified 85.1 million ineligible beneficiaries nationwide, including deceased individuals, taxpayers, and individuals owning four-wheelers. This list was shared with states for investigation and necessary action. State authorities have already removed 22.1 million ineligible beneficiaries from the ration card list, following their own verification procedures. The central government did not directly remove any names, clarifies the minister.
Currently 80 crore people are benefiting from free ration
States have been allowed to enroll eligible individuals in the ration system, potentially leading to 30 million new beneficiaries receiving ration cards. The aim is to provide free food grains to 800 million people under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), with approximately 790 million already benefiting from government ration programs.
Joshi emphasized that the digitization of the PDS has improved transparency in the distribution process. 98.5% of ration distribution is authenticated through Aadhaar and e-POS machines, with the adoption of technologies like smart warehouses and modern depots gaining momentum. The government’s focus is not on cost reduction but on ensuring that government-provided grains reach those in genuine need. The priority is to fully digitize and increase transparency in the ration distribution system.