The Kerala government is set to take action against more than 5.6 lakh ration cards that have not been used to purchase ration for over six months. The move follows directions from the Centre to identify inactive cards, verify beneficiaries and prevent ineligible people from continuing to receive benefits.
The affected cards will initially be frozen rather than permanently cancelled.
5.62 Lakh Ration Cards To Be Frozen
According to the latest directions, 5,62,494 non-priority ration cards in Kerala have not been used to purchase ration for more than six months.
The figure includes 4,40,811 white cards and 1,21,683 blue cards.
These cards are expected to be temporarily frozen, with ration distribution services stopped from October 1 for the affected beneficiaries.
Ration Can Be Restored After E-KYC
The freeze does not mean that the cards will immediately be cancelled permanently.
Families whose cards are frozen can restore their ration benefits if all members listed on the card complete e-KYC within three months.
Card holders will also be required to add the mobile phone numbers of all members to the ration card records.
This makes it important for families with inactive cards to complete the verification process within the specified period.
Why Is The Government Taking Action?
The objective is to identify inactive, duplicate and potentially ineligible beneficiaries in the public distribution system.
On average, around 17.65 lakh people in Kerala do not collect their monthly ration allocation.
Authorities are particularly looking to identify people who may have obtained ration cards to access other government benefits but do not actually use the card for purchasing ration.
The verification process is also expected to check whether the same person has been listed as a member of more than one ration card.
Smart PDS To Bring More Digital Monitoring
The exercise is part of a broader move towards Smart PDS in Kerala under the One Nation One Ration Card framework.
Under the system, Aadhaar details and beneficiary information will be verified more closely, while the Centre will have a greater role in monitoring the public distribution system.
The Smart PDS framework is designed to integrate different stages of the supply chain, from foodgrain warehouses to ration shops.
It can also include route mapping, surveillance systems and greater monitoring of ration distribution.
Priority Ration Cards Will Also Face Verification
The changes could also affect the way priority ration cards are allocated in Kerala.
Under the new system, the state will not have complete discretion to replace beneficiaries removed from the priority list. Central approval will be required for determining priority status and distributing priority cards.
The aim is to ensure that subsidised and free foodgrains reach eligible beneficiaries rather than people who no longer qualify.
What Ration Card Holders Should Do
People who have not purchased ration for several months should check the status of their ration card and ensure that the details of all family members are updated.
Those affected by the temporary freeze will have an opportunity to restore their ration benefits by completing the required e-KYC process within the stipulated period.
The exercise is therefore not an immediate permanent cancellation of 5.62 lakh ration cards. It is primarily a verification and temporary-freeze process intended to clean up beneficiary records and identify inactive or ineligible accounts.
Summary
Kerala is expected to temporarily freeze 5,62,494 non-priority ration cards that have not been used to purchase ration for more than six months. The affected cards include over 4.4 lakh white cards and 1.21 lakh blue cards. Beneficiaries can restore ration services by completing e-KYC for all listed members and updating mobile numbers within the specified period.
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