News: Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)

Kasargod, Sep 19: The government has taken steps to distribute new ration cards by the end of March next year 2015.  Application forms for new ration cards will be distributed from October 25.  The application forms will be accepted at the ration shops from November 5, 2015.

Camps will be set up to take pictures of the applicants after November 12, 2015.  A camp each will be held for two ration shops. The ration cards will be issued in the name of eldest woman in the house.  In case of the absence of the elderly woman in the house, it will be issued in the name of an elderly man in the house.

The information regarding the filled in applications will be published in the government website from December 11. BPL and APL lists will be prepared subsequently and the cards will be segregated likewise.The process will be held for a month from January 1. Gram officials, panchayat secretary, ICDS supervisors and appointed members will verify the records.

The prepared list will be approved from February 21, 2015 and March 5, 2015 by the local administration.  The administration will issue cards once the names are approved.

The cards will reach the consumers by end of March 2015. As new cards are being issued, the process of renewal and corrections are suspended.

National food bill will come into existence from October 1 which will enable most of the card holders to obtain subsidy.  The ration cards were last renewed in 1997. There are 61,67,672 APL, 14,75,538 BPL cards, 5,70,392 Anthyodaya cards and 28,160 Annapurna cards at present.