Nearly 3 Crore New Ration Cards Possible After Beneficiary Cleanup

Nearly 3 Crore New Ration Cards Can Be Issued, Says Union Minister Pralhad Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that nearly 3 crore new ration cards could be issued to eligible beneficiaries after state governments removed 2.21 crore ineligible entries from the Public Distribution System (PDS) lists. This announcement was made during the launch of a smart warehousing system on Thursday.

Joshi clarified that the deletions were carried out by state governments based on their own criteria, not by the Centre. The Ministry of Food and Public Distribution had earlier identified 8.51 crore ineligible beneficiaries, including deceased persons, income-tax payers, and four-wheeler owners, and shared this data with states for necessary action.

"Out of 8.51 crore, states have withdrawn 2.21 crore ration cards. We have not withdrawn," Joshi stated, adding that this process was facilitated by the digitisation of the PDS. He emphasized that states now have the opportunity to add eligible beneficiaries, with the potential to issue nearly 3 crore additional ration cards.

The minister also highlighted that the identification and removal of ineligible beneficiaries have not been uniform across the country, as some states have completed the process while others are still working on it. Currently, there are 79 crore beneficiaries under the PDS, with the Centre's focus being on ensuring foodgrains reach the needy rather than saving costs.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), the target for free foodgrain distribution remains at 80 crore beneficiaries. Joshi noted that the digitisation of the PDS has enabled 98.5% of foodgrain distribution under PMGKY to be authenticated using Aadhaar numbers and ePoS machines.

The government is also incorporating new technologies into PDS operations, including smart warehouses and depots, as part of its efforts to create a fully digital distribution system. Joshi further claimed that approximately 25 crore people have moved out of multidimensional poverty since the Covid-19 pandemic, citing schemes like PMGKY and endorsements from international bodies such as the IMF and Niti Aayog.

On the potential rise in the food subsidy bill this year, the minister expressed confidence that the government would manage within the allocated budget.