Delhi govt starts e-verification of ration card holders to stem fraud

The mandatory e-KYC verification process is taking place in Delhi after 2013, said an official from the Delhi Food and Supplies department. National Food Security Act (NFSA) was implemented in 2013 when the verification and smart ration cards were made.

He continued, “Almost all ration card holders in Delhi have biometric-based smart ration cards in Delhi, and it is linked with their Aadhaar. But after 2013, the verification process, which should be done every five years, did not take place. So, through this e-KYC verification process, names of ineligible cardholders will be removed.”

The official added, “Over this period (2013 to present), card holders who may have died or people who keep ration cards just for proof of residence will be removed… some might have got government jobs and are earning well… their names too will be removed… This will also prevent fraud so that the benefits are availed only by genuine families.”

People can also use a mobile app, called ‘Mera e-KYC’ launched by the Centre, to verify their details from their homes. This has to be done by March 31.

In Delhi, ration is distributed through e-PoS devices after biometric (Aadhaar) authentication of beneficiaries. There are two types of ration cards in Delhi — PR & AAY. On the PR ration card, 3 kg wheat and 2 kg rice is given per person. Meanwhile, 21 kg wheat, 14 kg rice and 1 kg sugar is given for each AAY ration card.

Eligible beneficiaries, ie, economically weaker families having an annual income of Rs 1 lakh, get 5 kg foodgrains — 4 kg wheat and 1 kg rice — and 1 kg sugar per person per month.

There are 72,77,995 beneficiaries, of which around 17 lakh have applied for e-KYC verification. There are a total of 17,41,266 card holders in Delhi and 1,971 ration shops.

According to officials, the Delhi government started the e-KYC campaign last year through e-PoS at fair price shops in July 2024. However, the process slowed down after the ration dealers moved the Delhi High Court.

Saurabh Gupta, general secretary, Delhi Sarkari Ration Dealers Sangh, said: “We moved court as ration shop dealers were not getting separate funds or money for the verification process.”

A ration shop dealer said, “We are not doing the e-KYC process through e-POS machines but are helping the people with the verification process via the app.”

An order issued by the Food and Supplies department on March 8 read: “Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (Department of Food & Public Distribution), Govt. of India, vide their gazette notification… has notified that an individual eligible to receive subsidised food grains or cash transfer of food subsidy under NFSA and having valid ration card issued by state governments or union territory administrations is hereby required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication… The date for the above-said exercise has been extended till 31.03.2025…”

“Failing this, distribution of their SFAs (Specified Food Articles) could be blocked,” said the order.

Further, the department has asked its IT branch to flash information regarding the authentication process on the website, spread awareness to the people through SMSes, and also issue advertisements through all big platforms.