State pushes for cleaner ration distribution system

Time of India

23-05-2025

Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission
Siddaramaiah
Antyodaya Anna Yojana
The Food Inspector will act on the final verification results within one month by cancelling, suspending, or converting PHH cards to Non-Priority Household cards.'
–report
In a significant step to ensure that subsidised food grains reach only deserving families, a report by the sub-committee of the, presented to Chief Ministeron Thursday, proposed an intensive ground-level verification drive. The aim is to identify and eliminate ineligible ration card holders under the(AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) categories. The verification process will be carried out at the ward level in urban areas by specially constituted teams, in an effort to make the distribution system more transparent and accountable.As per the new guidelines proposed by a sub-committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, each urban ward will have a three-member verification team comprising two members from the vigilance committee and one revenue officer or sanitation worker. These teams will visit households and verify the eligibility of ration card holders based on four exclusion criteria outlined by the state. The verification work must be completed within one month of receiving the list from the respective Urban Local Body (ULB).To maintain transparency, the report proposed that ULBs are mandated to publish the findings of the verification exercise within seven days. Lists of cardholders recommended for retention, suspension, or cancellation will be displayed for a period of three months at Fair Price Shops, on government websites, and on ward notice boards. If a cardholder is found ineligible due to the death of the original cardholder, their family will have a three-month window to revalidate their eligibility and claim benefits under a new or updated card. However, those who voluntarily surrender their cards will not be given this window.'After the preliminary list is released, a 15-day window will be given for the public to raise objections. Objections can be submitted either in person or online with appropriate supporting documents. The Food Inspector is required to cross-check at least 15% of the verified list to ensure accuracy. Following the resolution of objections, final lists of eligible and ineligible beneficiaries will be published again at all public locations and online', the report stated.The report recommended that the Food Inspector will act on the final verification results within one month by cancelling, suspending, or converting PHH cards to Non-Priority Household (NPHH) cards. An Action Taken Report (ATR) will be submitted to the district-level office to ensure record-keeping and accountability. If a beneficiary has not availed rations for six months or fails to respond to notices within three months, the card may be suspended. If the suspension exceeds three months or if exclusion criteria are met, the card will be converted to NPHH. In cases of voluntary surrender, proven fraud, or the death of the cardholder, the card will be cancelled outright.To safeguard the interests of eligible beneficiaries, the government has set up a robust appeals process. Any individual aggrieved by the decision of the ULB, Gram Panchayat, or Food Inspector can file an appeal before the District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO) within 30 days. Appeals can be filed online through an end-to-end digital platform and must be resolved within 30 days. During this period, appellants will continue to receive ration benefits. If the DGRO's decision is delayed or found unsatisfactory, a further appeal can be made to the State Commission, the report added.