The ration schemes conducted by the Government of India have become so meaningful for the poorest and neediest people in this great country. Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), around 813 million households receive grain at subsidized rates. But now as of January 1, 2025, there were modification of the amount of grain under Normal and Different Conditions on the ration card, and all these modifications were made for effective reform in and towards the ration distribution system phenomenon.
Changes into ration cards
From January 1, 2025, the amount of wheat and rice that a person would have acquired under the ration card provisions will vary, formerly 3 kg of rice and 2 kg of wheat would be provided under One Unit. The new change is that ration card holders will now receive 2.5 kg of rice and 2 kg of wheat. The quantity of rice became reduced by half a kilogram while there is an increase in wheat.
There are also major changes for Antyodaya ration card holders. From earlier, it was 14 kg of wheat and 21 kg of rice. It now turned into 18 kg of rice and 17 kg of wheat. This was kept to 35 kg only within the changes made. This is part of the government’s aims to strike a balance about nutrition and food security.
Big conditions for the ration card holders
E-KYC for ration card holders becomes compulsory now; the last date for its completion is December 1, 2024, failing which their ration cards will be canceled and he will no longer be able to avail himself of any free or subsidized grain. This has been a major step to ensure that the really needy people take benefits from this scheme.
How to carry out e-KYC procedure?
- Ration card holders can basically do carry out their e-KYC online as well as offline.
- Online Way: E-KYC is done by ration card holders through their official website of Food department by using their Aadhar card. This is simple and time saving.
- Offline Way: There is also an option that if the online process does not work, go to your preferred ration dealer or Common Service Center (CSC); e-KYC can indeed be done by submitting your Aadhaar card and all other required documents.
Important dates to remember
- Last date for e-KYC- 1 December 2024
- Effective date for new rules- 1 January 2025
Keeping these deadlines in mind, ration card holders have to finish their e-KYC process within time. This step will ensure that they can still avail the allocations made under the ration distribution scheme.
