Ration Card
A simple ration card is given to the poor, labourers, needy people to provide foodgrains at a moderate price. We have many types of ration cards. By classifying the citizens into different groups by the state government, they are given different ration cards according to that group.
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The ration card can be drawn from the Setu Suvidha Kendra in the Collectorate or now online ration card drawing facility has been made available. The National Food and Security Act was passed by the central government to provide good quality food at affordable prices to the citizens. The NFSA Act provides two types of ration cards for all states of the country. Every ration card and Aadhaar number is linked.
Two major types of ration cards
• Orange Ration Card
It is given only to those families whose annual income is between fifteen thousand to one lakh. This card is given to those who have no fixed income or very little income. Unemployed people, women and elderly fall into this category. Each family of this card holder is entitled to 35 kg of food grains per month. They get food grains at a subsidized rate of Rs 3 per kg for rice and Rs 2 per kg for wheat.
• White ration card
Apart from this white ration card is given to those who have higher income or are government employees i.e. their annual income is more than one lakh.
Benefits of Ration Card
Obtaining food supplies at subsidized rates from ration shops. Apart from this, as the ration card is issued by the government, the proof of ration card is accepted as an official identification throughout the country. Ration card is important as proof of identity while applying for PAN card, driving license, Aadhaar card or opening bank account and transferring money between bank accounts or anywhere else. Apart from this, all ration card holders in the state are eligible for hospital treatment under Mahatma Jotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana.
These documents are required to prepare the card
Income certificate, resident certificate (7/12, electricity bill), Aadhaar card (for all family members) at Setu Suvidha Kendra to draw ration card, Affidavit and challan must be paid on stamp paper of Rs.100. Apart from this, to draw ration card, you can apply at the nearest Online Suvidha Kendra, by visiting your Sarkar Seva Kendra or at home through the website www.rcms.mahafood.gov.in. All the required documents should be attached while applying. After that one has to go to the concerned district supply officer or food grain distribution officer and get the photo verified once.
Yellow ration cards are issued by the Supply Department to below poverty line beneficiaries, orange cards to those whose income is up to 1 lakh, and white ration cards to those whose income is above 1 lakh.
Beneficiaries of Antyodaya Yojana get 35 kg of free foodgrains of 20 kg of rice and 15 kg of wheat per card per month. Preferential family card gets 3 kg rice and 2 kg wheat free per card. Whereas the family of a suicide victim was earlier given free grain, but now Rs. 150 per person in that family is directly deposited into the subsidy account through DBT.
Names of married women or children have to be newly added in the ration card. A woman who comes to her husband’s house after marriage can add a new name on presentation of a certificate stating that her name has been deleted from her husband’s ration card. So, to include the name of the younger members of the household in the ration card, one has to apply by attaching the birth certificate or its Aadhaar card.
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