Ration Cards Removed: Names of 2.25 crore people removed from ration cards, know the big reason

Another senior ministry official said the Centre’s Food and Public Distribution Department has identified ineligible beneficiaries.

Ration Cards Removed: The government has removed the names of 22.5 million people from ration cards under the free monthly ration scheme. This action has been taken over the last four to five months. Those removed from ration cards were ineligible for the scheme. A senior Food Ministry official said on Tuesday that they want to ensure the benefits of this scheme reach only eligible individuals. This government scheme provides 5 kilograms of free food grains (wheat and rice) to the poor every month as a means of monthly sustenance. However, many ineligible people under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)—those who own four-wheelers, exceed monthly income limits, or are directors of companies—had been included in the list. Food Secretary Sanjiv Chopra said, “Approximately 22.5 million ineligible beneficiaries have been removed from the NFSA.”

Names of those found ineligible were removed after verification.

Sanjiv Chopra said that eligible beneficiaries are being added to the list by state governments. Another senior ministry official stated that the central Food and Public Distribution Department had identified ineligible beneficiaries. The list was shared with state governments for proper verification and removal of ineligible beneficiaries. The official stated that these 2.25 crore ineligible beneficiaries have been removed from the list over the past four to five months. He added that many of these beneficiaries have died. He added that the names of people holding directorships in companies and owners of four-wheelers have also been removed from the list.

Eligibility Criteria Being Determined by States

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), passed by Parliament in 2013, provides for coverage of up to 75 percent of the rural population and 50 percent of the urban population. This covers approximately two-thirds of the country’s total population, which is 813.5 million according to the 2011 Census. States are responsible for identifying beneficiaries and issuing ration cards. Removing ineligible beneficiaries and adding eligible beneficiaries under the Act is an ongoing process. Eligibility criteria are also being determined by states. Free food grains are being provided to two categories of beneficiaries: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families and Priority Households (PHH).

AAY families receive 35 kg of grain per month

Under the Act, each Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) family is entitled to 35 kg of grain per month, and each PHH person is entitled to 5 kg of grain per month. In July this year, the Centre informed Parliament that against the targeted coverage of 81.35 crore, states/union territories have identified only 80.56 crore individuals and there is scope to identify 79 lakh more beneficiaries under the NFSA. There are over 19 crore ration card holders in the country, while there are about 5 lakh ration shops (fair price shops) across all states and union territories.

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