If you are a ration card holder of Uttar Pradesh and are taking advantage of the government’s free ration scheme, then this news is very important for you. The state government has now made it mandatory for all ration card holders to get e-KYC Biometric Verification done.
The Food and Logistics Department has clearly stated that if this process is not completed by August 31, then ration distribution will be temporarily stopped for the next three months, from September 1. This decision has been taken to ensure transparency and to deliver benefits only to eligible beneficiaries.
Why is e-KYC necessary?
Under the National Food Security Act 2013, two types of ration cards have been issued in Uttar Pradesh: Antyodaya and Patra Grihasthi. The government aims to make the distribution transparent by linking the data of all these beneficiaries with Aadhaar. In this episode, Commissioner of the Department Bhupendra S. Chaudhary said that children below the age of 5 years are currently exempted from KYC.
How to get e-KYC done?
Cardholders who have not yet done KYC can go to any fair price shop and complete this process through the e-pass machine. You just have to get biometric verification of your fingers done. People whose Aadhaar verification fails for any reason, such as elderly, disabled, or seriously ill people, can contact their regional food officer and get alternative arrangements made by providing necessary evidence.
Instructions for new and old cardholders
For those who have recently got a new ration card or have had the name of a member of their family added, they must get KYC done before taking the ration. Married women whose names are not yet added to the ration card of their in-laws can apply for online unit transfer through the departmental portal or through a proper medium.
It is important that all ration card holders follow this time limit so that they do not face any problems. For more information in this regard, you can contact the departmental website or your nearest fair price shop.