Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Nov 2: In the last five years, as many as 13,476 ration cards have been voluntarily surrendered across Goa’s 12 talukas, according to data released by the State Civil Supplies Department.

From 2020 till September 2025, Sattari taluka recorded the highest number of surrendered cards at 2,482, followed by Bardez with 1,945 and Tiswadi with 1,648. The move comes following a state government order, issued in line with central government directives, asking families earning over Rs 50,000 annually to give up their ration cards.

Civil Supplies Deputy Director Amit Sawant said that the primary reason behind the increase in surrender of ration cards is the rise in family incomes. “Several households now have multiple earning members, and many have secured government jobs, making it mandatory for them to surrender their ration cards,” he explained.

Out of Goa’s 2.62 lakh ration cardholders, over 13,000 households — including those under the Priority Household (PHH), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), and Above Poverty Line (APL) categories — have given up their cards due to upward economic mobility.

Among the talukas, Darbandora saw the lowest number of surrendered cards at 429, followed by Ponda with 541 and Sanguem with 629.

Under the Public Distribution System (PDS) reforms, the central government has instructed all states to identify and remove ineligible beneficiaries. Those not meeting the eligibility norms under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) — such as taxpayers and government employees — are required to surrender their cards.

Citizens who become ineligible can voluntarily submit Form D to their respective taluka civil supplies offices within 30 days to surrender their ration cards.