Free Ration: Ration card holders in Uttar Pradesh are eagerly anticipating the upcoming distribution of their free rations for September. The dates for the distribution have now been announced, so there is no need for further waiting. The free ration distribution is scheduled to commence on Thursday, September 10th, and will be carried out in two shifts, allowing people to collect their rations until September 25th. Notably, Antyodaya card holders in September will be entitled to 35 kilograms of ration, which includes 14 kilograms of wheat, 21 kilograms of rice, and an additional 3 kilograms of sugar at the price of Rs. 18 per kilogram.
Moreover, the government of Uttar Pradesh has decided to offer 3 kilograms of sugar at a subsidized rate of Rs 18 per kilogram to ration card holders along with their free rations, amounting to Rs 54 per ration card. While cardholders can collect their rations from any ration shop using the portability feature, this flexibility does not extend to the sugar distribution, which must be obtained from the original shop where their card is registered.
The ration distribution will be conducted in two shifts, with the first shift scheduled from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and the second shift from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Those facing challenges in receiving rations due to Know Your Customer (KYC) issues can still access their free rations through mobile OTP verification.
In case of any discrepancies during the ration distribution process, complaints can be lodged through the department’s toll-free numbers 1967 and 1800-1800-150. Any valid complaints will be addressed in accordance with the established rules and appropriate action will be taken. Meanwhile The ration cards of beneficiaries who have not collected grains from the Public Distribution System (PDS) shops for the past six months may be suspended.
Beneficiaries who have not collected grains from PDS shops for six months are called silent cardholders. This rule is being implemented in Jharkhand, after which the cards of such ration card holders will be temporarily deactivated from October 1st. This means that those ration card holders will not be able to get grains from October 1st. It is being reported that this decision was taken in a recent meeting of Food Secretaries in Delhi on issues related to the Food and Public Distribution Department.