free ration: Good news for common people. CM makes big announcement about ration. A significant decision was made during the cabinet meeting of the Delhi government. The annual income threshold for ration cards has been raised from Rs 100,000 to Rs 250,000. This initiative is designed to extend the benefits of the Public Distribution System (PDS) and food security programs to more underprivileged and lower-middle-income families.
Additionally, the Delhi government has introduced a digital currency system for those holding ration cards. With this new approach, digital currency amounts will be directly deposited into beneficiaries’ bank accounts, enabling them to buy rations with the allocated funds. Officials have indicated that rations will now be distributed solely through this digital currency system. This strategy aims to eliminate irregularities and prevent leakages within the public distribution system.
7.7 lakh ration cards will be revoked
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that a total of 7.71 lakh invalid ration cards have been revoked in Delhi. Criticizing the outdated ration card system, Chief Minister Gupta mentioned that an investigation revealed certain facts that prompted the cancellation of such a large number of ration cards.
She noted that there were 144,000 ration cards in Delhi that failed to meet the income requirements. Furthermore, 35,800 individuals held ration cards but had not collected any rations over the past year. Ration cards were also issued in the names of 29,580 deceased persons. Invalid ration cards were identified in several other instances, leading to their cancellation. Officials have stated that new ration cards will be issued to replace them.
No new ration cards have been issued in the past 13 years
Recently, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta mentioned in a press conference that the government has cancelled around 7.72 lakh invalid ration cards and is now accepting new online applications. She also pointed out that no new ration cards have been issued in Delhi for the last 13 years.
Ration Distribution will be transparent
Raising the income threshold to Rs 250,000 will provide security to a large segment of society’s working class (such as security personnel, auto drivers, and small shopkeepers) by providing them with free or affordable rations. The second, and most revolutionary, step is the mandatory use of digital currency (e-RUPI or Central Bank Digital Currency – CBDC).
Until now, there were complaints from many places that ration dealers embezzled rations or forced beneficiaries to sell them in the market. Now, when the government sends rations directly into accounts in digital currency, beneficiaries will be able to use them only at the ration shop. This will eliminate cash transactions and make the ration distribution system 100% transparent.
