11,000 Ration Cards Locked For E-KYC Non-Compliance Amid Urgent Deadline
A significant number of ration card holders across India are facing immediate consequences due to the upcoming deadline for E-KYC compliance. Reports from Jhunjhunu etch out a stark scenario: over 11,000 ration cards have been locked, leaving 97,198 members without access to wheat supplies this month.
According to Bhaskar, the local food security department has initiated the locking of ration cards for families failing to complete the E-KYC process. Out of 316,274 families enrolled under the food security scheme in the district, 305,000, or approximately 88.63%, have successfully completed their E-KYC. Alarmingly, over 110,000 consumers linked to those 11,000 ration cards remain non-compliant, severely impacting their access to food grains.
This E-KYC process has been underway as per Central Government directives, focusing on ensuring legitimacy among beneficiaries. Notably, senior citizens and children under ten years old are excused from this requirement.
District Supply Officer Nikita Rathod emphasized, “The government has made it mandatory for every member listed under food security ration cards to undergo E-KYC. We are ensuring there are checks to prevent unauthorized withdrawals of ration supplies.”
The issue extends beyond individual accountability; many affected families are employed abroad, especially in Gulf countries, hindering their ability to perform the necessary compliance. The department also flagged issues related to consumers who have moved out or passed away, leading to fears of misuse of their cards.
Meanwhile, the department has extended the 'give-up' campaign until February 28, allowing unqualified beneficiaries to voluntarily remove their names from the ration lists. So far, 9,500 names have been successfully expunged from district records.
On the other hand, the scenario is similarly pressing for ration cardholders in Jharkhand. The food supply department has issued guidelines mandatorily requiring E-KYC by the end of February. Failure to comply will result in automatic removal of names from ration cards. District Supply Officials have been instructed to conduct special camp events across all districts to assist beneficiaries with their E-KYC updates.
The Jharkhand government has also underscored the importance of linking Aadhar numbers to ration cards, with warnings of cards being deactivated if compliance is not achieved by April 1, 2025. This directive aims to streamline the identification process and bolster the integrity of the food distribution system.
Outside the immediate urgency of E-KYC compliance, beneficiaries of schemes such as the Chief Minister's Daal-Bhaat Yojana are experiencing delays. Disbursement of the sixth installment of benefits has extended beyond the expected timeline due to pending verifications and lack of updated information on beneficiaries.
With efforts intensifying to address past delays, large-scale camps are being organized, particularly focused on completing overdue E-KYC processes. Officials maintain optimism, forecasting normalcy and funds finally reaching beneficiaries' accounts once verifications are successfully executed.
Both regions face the stark fact of established deadlines and strict compliance required for ration cardholders. Those failing to navigate this bureaucratic hurdle risk losing access to basic provisions as governments work to tighten regulatory frameworks. The race against the clock prompts questions—who will be left hungry with the E-KYC deadline approaching rapidly?
With millions dependent on these systems, adherence to the E-KYC procedure will be pivotal, not only to sustain their livelihoods but also to affirm the integrity of India's food support frameworks.