To provide convenience to the underprivileged, the central and state governments are running schemes to provide ration at very low prices, including free ration. Eligibility has been fixed for this, and the government has made rules to ensure that the scheme is not misused. Anyone who breaks these rules and obtains a ration card without meeting eligibility criteria will be considered ineligible. The government has made it clear that strict actions will be taken against such people. Not only will their ration card be cancelled, but they will also be fined and, in some cases, jailed.
The government has established different eligibility rules for citizens living in urban and rural areas. This means that citizens in urban areas will have different criteria to meet for ration access, while people in rural areas will have a distinct set of requirements. The purpose of these distinctions is to prevent misuse of the scheme and ensure that only eligible individuals benefit. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, it is better to surrender your ration card. Through this article, we will highlight the government’s new rules.
Who Needs to Surrender Their Ration Card in Urban Areas?
If you live in an urban area, make sure to check your eligibility. If your family owns a house or plot larger than 100 square meters (1076 sq ft), you must surrender your ration card. Additionally, if your family owns a four-wheeler, has an AC or fridge installed, or if there is a generator with more than 5 kV capacity in your house, it is better to surrender the ration card. If your family owns a commercial plot larger than 861 square feet, you are also required to surrender your ration card. Furthermore, only one weapon license is allowed per family; if there are more, the ration card will be cancelled.
Rules for Ration Cards in Rural Areas
There are also specific rules for families living in rural areas. If the family owns a car, tractor,or harvester, or has a generator larger than 5 kV, the ration card must be surrendered. If your family owns more than 5 acres of agricultural land and has a TV, fridge, or AC, the ration card will not be approved. Additionally, if the family’s total annual income exceeds ₹2 lakh, it is advisable to surrender the ration card. If any family member possesses more than one licensed weapon, holds a government job, or files Income Tax Returns (ITR), the family will not be eligible for a ration card.
Consequences of Not Surrendering the Ration Card
If an ineligible person does not surrender their ration card, the government will cancel it and recover the ration cost from the time the card was issued. This recovery will be made at the market rate. In addition, the government will impose a fine and, in some cases, there is a possibility of jail time. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your ration card remains aligned with your eligibility to avoid facing severe penalties.