Linking Aadhaar with ration card ‘must’ to claim ration from depots

Jammu: Coming down heavily against black-marketing of government ration and alleged involvement of some employees of Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, hand-in-glove with private dealers, Jammu and Kashmir government had made linking Aadhaar cards mandatory with ration cards to claim the ration from the depots.

“All legal consumers getting ration from the government depots, now have to link their Aadhaar cards with their ration cards for which the department of Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, has already set the exercise into motion,” official sources said.

“The department has started linking the ration cards with Aadhaar cards to maintain an online record of sale, purchase and quantity of ration supplied to the government dealers and its further distribution,” sources added.

They further said that this exercise will prevent black-marketing up to a larger extent, adding, “there were many complaints received by the department from different quarters regarding black-marketing of ration and also its dumping by some dealers leading to shortage, which often creates chaos.”

Sources also added that during COVID-19 pandemic, huge quantity of ration was distributed to the needy by the government in Jammu and Kashmir like other parts of the country on the directions from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but, they added, “simultaneously there were several allegations raised of misappropriation and black-marketing of ration by some employees following which the decision of linking ration cards with Aadhaar cards was taken to prevent this form of corruption and keep check on corrupt elements.”

“Under this exercise, the consumers will now be provided ration using biometric POS,” sources said and added that it has been made mandatory and all consumers have been asked by the ration dealers to submit their Aadhaar cards to link the document.

However, the decision of the government has been welcomed by one and all but at the same time, has upset the senior citizens, who are still waiting for their Aadhaar cards despite applying for it several times online.

“Linking Aadhaar with ration card is a welcome step as it will monitor proper distribution of ration to the right consumer but what about those who still have to get their Aadhaar cards,” said a local adding that her mother is unable to withdraw monthly pension from the bank for the past four months because she did not get her Aadhaar card, which is also a must requirement to be linked with the bank account of every citizen and now with this move, getting ration will also become difficult rather impossible.

“Before taking such decisions, the government should also make necessary arrangements or issue directions to the authorities issuing Aadhaar Cards, Ration Cards, Voter I-Cards and other mandatory documents so that people do not face any inconvenience,” he expressed.


Updated On 2/23/2021 10:50:00 AM