THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the link between ration cards and Aadhaar almost complete, the central government has started the process of implementing a unified ration card across the country. States cannot object to the Center taking control of the map because it is the central government that rations the people.
Currently, each state issues different types of cards based on different criteria. These can acquire a uniform character. The decision will be taken after consultation with the States. During this time, states will have the power to set benefits.
The Aadhaar link is over 90% complete in the states except West Bengal. The infiltration of Bangladesh was an obstacle. The Center also aims to prevent these infiltrators from becoming Indians.
All Kerala ration cards are linked to Aadhaar. Announcement of this will be made by the state government soon. During the period of Covid and Onam, the state government procured food grains itself and distributed them on the basis of ration cards. The Center will not intervene in this type of distribution system.
Benefits for those staying in other states
Those working in other states may purchase their share of rations from that state’s ration stores. Once Aadhaar is bound, all of his information will also be available in the Ration Card.
Challenges
1. Ration cards are different in every state. The Center categorized the cards into Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Priority Household (PHH), and Non-Priority Non Subsidy (NPNS). In Kerala, these are yellow, pink and white cards respectively. Apart from this, the state government has also introduced the blue card. The general category is rationed with a subsidy. Thus, it is not clear in what order the ration will be distributed to those who are only on the state government list.
2. The allocation of rations is fixed on the basis of urban and rural population. This varies from state to state. This will need to be reassessed.
3. Not all states provide ration grain to the non-priority category. There are states where up to 75% of the population have priority cards. In Kerala, it is 43%. The criteria will have to be changed.