Who Benefits from the Ration Card?
A ration card is a crucial document in India, providing households with food grains at subsidized rates. The government issues these cards based on specific eligibility criteria, which take into account the household’s annual income and the number of family members. Ration cards also serve as a widely accepted form of identity proof for Indian citizens. Let’s explore the different types of ration cards, the benefits they offer, and who stands to gain from them.
Types of Ration Cards
Above Poverty Line (APL) Ration Card: Issued to households that are above the poverty line, these cards provide a limited amount of subsidized food grains. Although the benefits are not as extensive as those for below poverty line families, they still help in reducing the cost of essential food items.
Below Poverty Line (BPL) Ration Card: These cards are for families that fall below the poverty line. The amount of food grains provided under this scheme is more generous compared to APL ration cards, ensuring that the basic nutritional needs of these families are met.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Ration Card: This is issued to the poorest of the poor households. These families often have no stable source of income or are unable to subsist on the income they have. AAY cardholders receive 35 kilograms of food grains per month, which is significantly higher than other ration cards.
National Food Security Act (NFSA)
Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), there are two primary types of ration cards:
Priority Ration Card: Issued to households that meet the state government’s eligibility criteria, these cards provide about 5 kilograms of food grains per member every month.
Antyodaya (AAY) Ration Card: As mentioned earlier, these are issued to the poorest households, providing 35 kilograms of food grains per month.
Before the NFSA was enacted, ration cards were classified into three categories: APL, BPL, and AAY. These categories helped streamline the distribution of food grains based on economic status.
Government Schemes and Initiatives
One notable scheme is the “One Nation, One Ration Card” initiative. Launched by the government, this scheme aims to ensure that people can avail their entitled food grains under the NFSA from any fair price shop in the country. This is particularly beneficial for migrant workers and their families, who can access subsidized food grains even when they are away from their home state.
To make the ration card system more user-friendly, state governments have been urged to issue bi-lingual ration cards. The primary language is the local language of the individual, and the secondary language is Hindi. This change enhances accessibility and understanding for the cardholders.
Who Benefits from the Ration Card?
Legal Citizens: Any legal citizen of India can apply for a ration card and enjoy the benefits of subsidized food grains.
Children: Children under 18 years can use their parents’ ration cards to access benefits. After turning 18, they need to apply for their own ration cards.
Migrant Workers: With the “One Nation, One Ration Card” scheme, migrant workers benefit significantly as they can obtain food grains from any public distribution system (PDS) shop across the country, regardless of their location.
Economically Disadvantaged Households: Families that fall under the BPL and AAY categories receive substantial assistance to ensure they have enough food, contributing to better nutrition and health.
General Public: Even APL families, who are not as financially constrained, receive some relief in their food expenses, which helps manage household budgets better.
The ration card system in India is a vital tool for ensuring food security among its citizens. By providing subsidized food grains, it supports the nutritional needs of millions of people, especially those who are economically disadvantaged. The introduction of initiatives like the “One Nation, One Ration Card” scheme further enhances the accessibility and utility of this system, ensuring that more people can benefit from the government’s efforts to provide food security.
To avail of these benefits, it is essential to meet the eligibility criteria and have a valid ration card. This system not only helps in providing essential food items at lower prices but also plays a crucial role in identity verification and the overall welfare of Indian citizens.
