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The following table shows financial size of the social security benefits / [[Subsidies in India|subsidies]] funded by the Union government of India. The table does not cover other programs operated by various State governments, see [[Public welfare in India]]. The social security benefits / subsidies offered by various state governments is estimated to be above Rs. 600&nbsp;billion (US$10&nbsp;billion). Thus total subsidies become Rs. 3,600&nbsp;billion (US$60&nbsp;billion).<ref>http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/budget-2013-food-security-gets-rs-10kcr-fy14-subsidy-at-rs-231lk-cr_832058.html</ref><ref>http://www.firstpost.com/economy/budget-2013-rural-development-gets-46-hike-rs-33000-cr-for-mgnregs-643294.html</ref>
The following table shows financial size of the social security benefits / [[Subsidies in India|subsidies]] funded by the Union government of India. The table does not cover other programs operated by various State governments, see [[Public welfare in India]]. The social security benefits / subsidies offered by various state governments is estimated to be above Rs. 600&nbsp;billion (US$10&nbsp;billion). Thus total subsidies become Rs. 3,600&nbsp;billion (US$60&nbsp;billion).<ref>http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/budget-2013-food-security-gets-rs-10kcr-fy14-subsidy-at-rs-231lk-cr_832058.html</ref><ref>http://www.firstpost.com/economy/budget-2013-rural-development-gets-46-hike-rs-33000-cr-for-mgnregs-643294.html</ref>


Thus PDS related subsidy alone is for food Rs. 1,250 (US$ 20.83) plus kerosene.
Thus PDS related subsidy alone for food is Rs. 1,250 (US$ 20.83) plus kerosene (Rs.xxxx).
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Revision as of 08:48, 28 March 2014

The Indian ration card is mainly used for drawing subsidized food and fuel (kerosene). The card is an important document for the poor people for subsistence, identity and to remain connected with the government database. It has become the proof of their existence. The identity, eligibility and entitlement of entire public distribution system (PDS) works on it.[1][2]


Structure

The ration card is either A-4 size folded paper card or chip-embedded smart card. It bears photograph of head of the family (HoF). It is issued one per family by state governments in India. It has three categories – extreme poverty level (Antyodaya), below poverty line (BPL) and above poverty line (APL). These poverty lines are defined by the Planning Commission of India every few years based on the data collection and analysis from various sources. [3]

Obtaining ration card

It is voluntary to obtain ration card in India like passport. However, it is mandatory to get subsidized ration like it is mandatory to have passport for foreign travel. It is a state matter and the process is almost 80% common across various states of India. Eligibility for the, Antyodaya, BPL or APL ration card is based on the economic status of the family.

To get an APL card in Delhi state, one needs to apply on prescribed form with two copies of photograph of the head of the family (HoF), ID proof and address proof, Rs.25/= fee along with old ration card, if any. It takes about 30 days for processing.[4]

BPL card gets the holder family more benefits i.e. more ration and more kerosene on subsidized rate. To get BPL card, photograph of all family members is required in addition to ID proof, address proof, fee and old card, if any.

Social security benefits

The following table shows financial size of the social security benefits / subsidies funded by the Union government of India. The table does not cover other programs operated by various State governments, see Public welfare in India. The social security benefits / subsidies offered by various state governments is estimated to be above Rs. 600 billion (US$10 billion). Thus total subsidies become Rs. 3,600 billion (US$60 billion).[5][6]

Thus PDS related subsidy alone for food is Rs. 1,250 (US$ 20.83) plus kerosene (Rs.xxxx).

Social security budget 2013–14
Region Social security program Billion Rupee Billion US$
Pan India Total subsidy for FY-2013-14 (approx) 3,600 60.00
Pan India Food Security (PDS) (subsidy) 1,250 20.83
Pan India Petroleum (subsidy) 970 16.17
Rural Fertilizer (subsidy) 660 11.00
Rural NREGA (non-subsidy) 330 5.50
Rural Child development (ICDS) (non-subsidy) 177 2.95
Rural Drinking water and sanitation (non-subsidy) 152 2.53
Rural Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) (non-subsidy) 151 2.52
Rural Maternal and child malnutrition (non-subsidy) 3 0.05
States Various programmes of state govts (subsidy/non-subsidy) 600 10.00

Problem areas

There are plenty of fake and bogus ration cards.[7]

Steps to resolve problems

Government is taking various steps to prevent corruption, leakage and diversion of PDS ration.

See also

References