Ration card (India)
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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 paper card or smart card. It is issued one per family by state governments in India. It has two categories – below poverty line (BPL) and above poverty line (APL). This poverty line is defined by the Planning Commission of India every few years based on data collection and analysis from various sources. [3]
Obtaining the ration card
It is voluntary to obtain ration card in India. It is a state matter and the process is 80% common across various states. Eligibility for the 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$60 billion).[5][6]
Thus PDS related subsidy alone is for food Rs. 1,250 (US$ 20.83) plus kerosene.
| 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
- ^ http://www.apcivilsupplies.gov.in/
- ^ http://ahara.kar.nic.in/
- ^ https://www.bangaloreone.gov.in/public/RationCard_info.aspx
- ^ http://www.delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/96ce4500419c5607943995c1cd8dfa9d/Procedure_New_RationCard.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=96ce4500419c5607943995c1cd8dfa9d&Procedure%20for%20New%20Ration%20Card
- ^ http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/budget-2013-food-security-gets-rs-10kcr-fy14-subsidy-at-rs-231lk-cr_832058.html
- ^ http://www.firstpost.com/economy/budget-2013-rural-development-gets-46-hike-rs-33000-cr-for-mgnregs-643294.html
- ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/30-lakh-bogus-ration-cards-could-derail-scheme/articleshow/20868498.cms