Ration Card New Rules 2024: Free Ration Only for These Beneficiaries, New Guidelines Issued

The Indian government has announced new rules and guidelines for ration cards effective from 2024. The ration card is an important document that enables eligible households to purchase subsidized food grains and other essential commodities from fair price shops under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

With the aim of making the PDS more targeted and efficient, the central government in coordination with state governments has revised the eligibility criteria and entitlements under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Let’s take a detailed look at what has changed and who will benefit from the free ration scheme going forward.

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Key Highlights of Ration Card New Rules 2024

• Ration cards to be issued only to eligible priority households identified based on the latest socio-economic census data
• Existing ration cards of ineligible or bogus beneficiaries to be canceled after proper verification
• Free food grains at 5 kg per person per month to continue for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries
• Priority households to get wheat at Rs. 2/kg and rice at Rs. 3/kg, while others to pay a higher price
• Mandatory Aadhaar seeding and biometric authentication to avail PDS benefits and prevent leakages
• ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme to enable nationwide portability of ration cards for migrant workers
• Grievance redressal mechanisms and social audits to be strengthened for transparency and accountability

Who is Eligible for Free Ration under the New Rules?

As per the new guidelines, the following categories of beneficiaries will continue to be eligible for free food grains under the AAY:

• Poorest of the poor households
• Primitive tribal groups
• Widows or terminally ill persons
• Disabled persons
• Persons aged 60 years or more with no regular means of subsistence
• Single women or single men with no family or societal support
• Any other group identified by state governments based on local conditions

The identification of AAY beneficiaries is done by state governments as per the criteria and targets determined by the central government. Currently, around 2.5 crore households are covered under AAY across the country.

What about Priority Households?

Priority households, which constitute the majority of NFSA beneficiaries, will continue to receive subsidized food grains but not for free. As per the latest rules:

• Priority households are entitled to 5 kg of food grains per person per month
• The prices are fixed at Rs. 2/kg for wheat and Rs. 3/kg for rice
• The coverage ratio is up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population in each state
• Households are identified based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria set by state governments

Some of the common inclusion criteria used by states are:

• Households with income below a certain threshold
• Households with no land or less than 1 hectare of land
• Households with no regular employed member
• Households belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories

On the other hand, households meeting any of the following exclusion criteria are generally not eligible for priority ration cards:

• Owning a four-wheeler or two-wheeler above 100 cc
• Possessing a landline phone or mobile phone
• Having a member who pays income tax or professional tax
• Living in a pucca house with three or more rooms
• Earning above a certain annual income limit

The exact criteria and thresholds vary from state to state. Households falling between the AAY and priority categories are issued non-priority ration cards and have to pay higher prices for food grains from fair price shops.

Aadhaar Linking and Biometric Authentication Made Compulsory

To plug the leakages and prevent the diversion of subsidized food grains, the government has made it mandatory for all ration card holders to link their cards with Aadhaar numbers and undergo biometric authentication at the time of purchase.

This means that beneficiaries will have to provide their fingerprints or iris scans on the electronic point of sale (ePoS) machines installed at fair price shops to prove their identity and claim their entitlements. Those who fail to do so may be denied rations.

While Aadhaar integration has helped weed out a large number of fake and duplicate ration cards, it has also led to some genuine beneficiaries being excluded due to technical glitches or lack of Aadhaar enrollment. To address this, the government has provided alternative mechanisms such as one-time passwords and temporary IDs for exceptional cases.

One Nation One Ration Card for Migrant Workers

One of the most significant reforms in the PDS in recent years has been the launch of the ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ (ONORC) scheme which aims to make ration cards portable across the country. Under this scheme:

• A beneficiary can avail his/her entitled food grains from any fair price shop in the country using the same ration card
• This is especially beneficial for migrant workers who often have to forfeit their rations when they move to another state or district in search of work
• The scheme is enabled by the integration of state PDS portals with a central repository and the use of ePoS devices and biometric authentication
• As of 2024, the ONORC scheme has been implemented in all states and union territories, covering over 80 crore beneficiaries

However, some challenges remain in terms of the uniformity of entitlements, quality of food grains, and grievance redressal across states. The government is working on ironing out these issues to ensure a seamless experience for migrant workers.

Ensuring Transparency and Accountability

To make the PDS more transparent and accountable to the public, the government has put in place various measures such as:

• Mandatory display of entitlement details, stock position, and prices at fair price shops
• Toll-free helplines and online portals for registering complaints and seeking information
• Social audits and vigilance committees involving local communities to monitor the functioning of fair price shops
• Computerization of supply chain management and real-time monitoring of transactions through ePoS devices

Citizens can access a lot of information related to the PDS and their ration cards through state government websites and mobile apps. They can also file RTI applications to seek specific details or redressal of grievances.

Conclusion

The new ration card rules for 2024 are a step in the right direction to make the PDS more targeted, efficient, and transparent. By focusing on the poorest of the poor and using technology to plug leakages, the government aims to ensure food security for the most vulnerable sections of society.

However, the success of these reforms will depend on their effective implementation on the ground and the active participation of citizens in monitoring the system. It is also important to address the concerns of those who may be excluded due to Aadhaar-related issues or other factors.

Overall, the ration card remains a crucial document for millions of households in India to access their basic food entitlements. With the new rules and initiatives in place, one hopes that the PDS will become more responsive to the needs of the people and contribute to the goal of zero hunger in the country.

FAQs

1. How can I check if I am eligible for a ration card under the new rules?

You can visit the website of your state’s food and civil supplies department or contact your nearest fair price shop to know the eligibility criteria and process for applying for a ration card. You will need to provide proof of identity, address, and income.

2. What documents are required for Aadhaar linking with ration card?

You will need to provide your Aadhaar number and biometrics (fingerprints or iris scan) at the fair price shop or designated centers for Aadhaar seeding. In case of any mismatch, you may be asked to provide additional documents such as a copy of your Aadhaar card.

3. How can I avail the benefits of the One Nation One Ration Card scheme?

To avail the portability benefits under ONORC, you need to have your ration card linked with Aadhaar and seeded in the central repository. You can then visit any fair price shop in the country, provide your ration card number and biometrics, and claim your entitled food grains.

4. What can I do if I am denied rations despite having a valid ration card?

If you are denied your entitlements at a fair price shop, you can register a complaint on the toll-free helpline number or online portal of your state’s food department. You can also approach the local vigilance committee or file an RTI application seeking reasons for the denial.

5. Will the new rules affect the food security of poor households?

The new rules are designed to target the PDS benefits more effectively to the poorest of the poor households while gradually phasing out the coverage for the relatively better-off. However, there are concerns that some deserving households may get excluded in the process due to issues with identification or Aadhaar seeding. The government needs to have robust grievance redressal and exception handling mechanisms to ensure that no genuine beneficiary is left behind.

C.K. Gupta

Hello, I am C.K. Gupta Founder of Taxgst.in, a seasoned finance professional with a Master of Commerce degree and over 20 years of experience in accounting and finance. My extensive career has been dedicated to mastering the intricacies of financial management, tax consultancy, and strategic planning. Throughout my professional journey, I have honed my skills in financial analysis, tax planning, and compliance, ensuring that all practices adhere to the latest financial regulations. My expertise also extends to auditing, where I focus on maintaining accuracy and integrity in financial reporting. I am passionate about using my knowledge to provide insightful and reliable financial advice, helping businesses optimize their financial strategies and achieve their economic goals. At Taxgst.in, I aim to share valuable insights that assist our readers in navigating the complex world of taxes and finance with ease.