From now on, the ration will not be available only with a ration card. Proof of income will also be required. Yes, you heard it right. According to the new government decision, wealthy individuals will no longer receive free rations. The ration card verification process will begin soon, and the Income Tax Department will determine who is eligible for this benefit.

The main goal of this decision is to exclude middle-class and upper-class people from the ration list. So, will the ration card be canceled this time? How will the verification process work? Let’s find out in detail.

Why is the government taking this step?

After the Corona pandemic, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana was launched to support the poor across the country. Under this scheme, rice and wheat were distributed free of cost under the National Food Security Act.

However, the central government believes that many wealthy people are taking advantage of this scheme, which is reducing the amount of food allocated to those who truly need it. Therefore, the government has decided that only the genuinely poor will benefit from this scheme moving forward.

Who will not get the benefit of ration?

According to the new policy:

  • Ration benefits will be stopped for income taxpayers.
  • People with large or luxurious homes, or significant assets, may have their ration cards cancelled.

How will ration verification be done?

The income tax department and the food department of the central government will verify the ration cards by analyzing data. Aadhaar linking with ration cards is already mandatory. Additionally, the PAN card will help determine a person’s income. The Income Tax Department will share information with the government about taxpayers and their annual income.

What could change in this policy?

The central government allocates Rs 2 lakh 3 thousand crore annually for the ration scheme. The new decision is aimed at reducing this massive expenditure. Additionally, limiting the free distribution of food grains will increase the availability of goods in the market. Many people may be excluded from receiving ration benefits.

The conflict between the center and the state

This decision could cause disagreements between the state and central governments. Several states, including West Bengal, have not yet discussed this issue with the center. States may argue that if the verification process is inaccurate, the genuinely poor could lose their ration cards. This could have significant political and social impacts.

How to know if your ration card will be cancelled?

To check if your ration card will be cancelled, log in to the government website and verify the details. If you have filed an income tax return, your ration card might be cancelled. You can also visit the local office for more information and to check the current status of your ration card.