Shock to Ineligible Ration Card Holders
The Telangana state government has taken a stern decision that may come as a shock to some ration card holders who haven’t availed of ration supplies for several months. As part of this move, the state has already initiated an investigation process into the eligibility of cardholders.
Initial Findings Reveal 30% Ineligibility
Officials have already scrutinized around 80% of the ration cards. Among these, it was found that approximately 30% of the cardholders are ineligible. According to the list provided by the Central Government, several discrepancies have been observed, such as:
- Cardholders possessing ration cards from other states
- Deceased individuals still listed as beneficiaries
- Ration cards obtained using duplicate Aadhaar numbers
The Centre has recommended that the state re-verify such cards and examine the reasons for ineligibility.
Field-Level Verification Underway
There is a strong possibility that many of these ration cards will be cancelled after the verification process. District and mandal-level officials have already started ground-level inspections and are uploading the verified data online.
Non-Usage of Ration for 6 to 12 Months a Key Factor
Authorities have identified several cases where ration has not been availed for a period of 6 to 12 months. In many such cases, the cardholders were found to be ineligible. Some individuals had temporarily migrated to Telangana for livelihood and obtained ration cards, but after returning to their native places, they stopped collecting ration.
Final Stage of Review and Card Cancellations Expected
The verification process is now in its final stage. Once completed, a significant number of ration cards listed by the Centre as ineligible are expected to be cancelled, officials said.
New Ration Cards for Eligible Beneficiaries
On a positive note, the state government has announced that new ration cards will be issued to all eligible beneficiaries once the review is complete.