Ration Update: Big news for Ration Card holders. E-KYC has been made mandatory for all ration card holders in Bihar. Districts have been issued numerous guidelines regarding this. Despite this, approximately 1.5 crore beneficiaries have not yet completed their e-KYC. The deadline for this has been extended several times, but data as of February shows that approximately 18 percent of the total 82 million beneficiaries have not completed their e-KYC. The government has clarified that e-KYC is mandatory for all beneficiaries. The deadline has been extended to March 31st. Officials from the Food and Consumer Protection Department state that district officials have also been instructed to ensure e-KYC for beneficiaries. Previously, the deadline was February 15th. This date was later extended to February 28th and then March 31st. However, the expected progress has not been achieved. Beneficiaries who fail to complete their e-KYC may be excluded from future food grain programs. Districts with high e-KYC backlogs include Vaishali, Siwan, Sitamarhi, Aurangabad, Samastipur, East Champaran, Darbhanga, West Champaran, and Araria. Officials say that many people have not completed their e-KYC due to lack of awareness and information. Many people living outside the state are also missing out. Investigation of suspicious card holders will be completed soon The department has instructed subdivision officials to investigate suspicious cardholders and ensure speedy execution of all. It is known that more than 5.7 million card holders in the state have been included in the list of suspects. Officials say that during the investigation, notices are being sent to those on the suspect list. If the beneficiaries' responses are not satisfactory, their names are being added to the list for removal. So far, more than 3.3 million names have been added to such lists. E-KYC can be done in any state However, any beneficiary can complete their e-KYC in any state. There are a large number of beneficiaries who do not receive rations for several months. Officials say that ration card holders from Bihar who are residing outside the state for any reason do not need to return to their state to complete their e-KYC. The e-KYC facility for ration card holders is available throughout the country. Currently, they can complete their e-KYC at their nearest public distribution system shop at their residence.
