AADHAAR MUST FOR RATION

New Delhi: The Centre has made Aadhaar mandatory for availing subsidised foodgrains from the ration shops.

The Centre on Thursday made Aadhaar mandatory for availing subsidised foodgrains from the ration shops under the National Food Security Law in order to better target `1.4 lakh crore subsidy.

“The ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution has issued a notification under the Aadhaar Act which requires individual beneficiaries having ration cards under the National Food Security Law (NFSA) to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication to receive subsidies under NFSA (subsidised food grains or cash transfer of food subsidy under NFSA),” the notification said.

The beneficiaries who do not possess the Aadhaar number are required to make application for Aadhaar enrollment by June 30, it said.

Under the NFSA, which has been completely rolled out across the country in November last, the government provides 5 kg of foodgrains per person every month at `1-3/kg to over 80 crore people.

Till Aadhaar is assigned to the beneficiaries, the government said foodgrains would be provided on production of ration card and either Aadhaar enrollment ID slip or copy of his/her request made to state government for Aadhaar enrollment alongwith any of the eight documents including voter’s ID Card, PAN, passport, driving license, certificate of identity with photo issued by Gazetted Officer/ Tehsildar on official letter head.