Top News

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced several major changes regarding the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the capital Delhi. Now the annual income limit for Ration Card has been increased from Rs 1.2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh. With this change, lakhs of new families will get a chance to come under the ambit of ration card. Also, the process of making new ration cards is also being started again after many years. The government is also working on making the ration distribution system more digital. Under the proposed scheme, an amount equal to the value of ration can be sent directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Now those families whose annual income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh will also be able to apply for ration card. Earlier this limit was Rs 1.2 lakh.

Taking this decision on Tuesday, the Delhi Cabinet approved expanding the scope of food security. This step of the government is expected to provide relief to lakhs of families who till now were deprived of the free ration scheme due to their slightly higher income. According to sources, after the recent announcement by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the proposal was discussed extensively in the cabinet and ultimately approved. The government believes that this change will bring more needy families under the ambit of food security.

Food and Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa informed that work is also being done to modernize the ration distribution system in Delhi. He said that in the coming time, it is being considered to implement CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) based system in the distribution system. Under this, there is a possibility of digital currency equal to the value of ration or a limited usable amount being sent directly to the account of the beneficiaries, which can be used only for purchasing ration.

What did Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa say?

Food Supply Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that now the annual income limit for ration card has been increased to Rs 2.5 lakh. Earlier this limit was up to Rs 1.2 lakh. After this decision of the government, now families with annual income up to Rs 2.5 lakh will also be eligible to get ration cards made and food grains will be provided to them through the public distribution system. The government is also working on a new system, under which funds will be deposited directly into the Aadhaar linked bank accounts of ration card holders. Beneficiaries will be able to use this amount to purchase essential commodities.

Lakhs of invalid ration cards canceled

The government also informed that about 2 lakh invalid ration cards have been canceled in Delhi. After this, now a new eligibility list is being prepared and the online application process for the new ration card has been started. It was written on the social media platform ‘X’ that the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has given relief to lakhs of needy families by taking this decision. He said that earlier the income limit in EWS category was Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.2 lakh, which has now been increased to Rs 2.5 lakh.

How will this system work?

The Delhi government is working on a new model towards making the Public Distribution System (PDS) more digital. Under this, it is now being considered to send the ration subsidy directly to the digital wallet of the beneficiaries in the form of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). This model is said to be inspired by the pilot projects already running in some parts of the country like Gujarat, Chandigarh, Dadar-Nagar Haveli and Daman-Diu. Seeing the results of these experiments, now plans are being made to implement it in Delhi also.

Under the new system, the government will transfer an amount equal to the ration subsidy received by the beneficiaries in the form of digital rupee (CBDC) to their wallets. This wallet will be linked to the bank account linked to their Aadhaar. For example, if a family gets a subsidy of Rs 500 from the government on ration, this amount will be sent directly to their CBDC wallet. After this, the beneficiaries will be able to go to the government ration shop and buy ration from the same amount through QR code or SMS based payment. In the present system, beneficiaries are given ration free or at concessional rates as per fixed quota from Fair Price Shops (FPS), and they do not have to make any payment. In the new proposed system, the beneficiary will be given digital amount, which he can use to buy ration as per his need.

How to apply for a new ration card?

Giving information on social media platform ‘X’, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that now citizens can apply online while sitting at home. The government said that the application process has been completely digitalized through the e-District portal, so that people will not have to visit offices. Applicants interested for new ration card can apply online by visiting e-District Portal. The application process has been completely digitalized to make it simple and transparent. The following documents will be required for online application: Aadhar Card, Residence Certificate, Family Income Certificate and details of all the family members.

Preparation for implementation in a phased manner

The proposed CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) based ration distribution model will be implemented at Public Distribution System (PDS) shops in a phased manner. The government says that this system will gradually be connected to the banking network, in which private banks will also be included. According to officials, the aim of this new system is to make ration distribution completely digital, transparent and trackable. In the initial phase, it can be implemented in selected areas, after which it will be expanded to the whole of Delhi.

What is CBDC?

CBDC is a digital currency issued by the Reserve Bank of India, which has the same legal recognition as the existing currency of the country. It is a digital version of traditional cash, designed for secure and controlled digital transactions. Once this model is implemented, beneficiaries will get ration subsidy in the form of digital rupees in their wallet, which they can use to purchase ration through QR code or digital payment medium.

Follow the LALLURAM.COM MP channel on WhatsApp