The Government of India has taken a big step to make the Public Distribution System (PDS) more efficient and transparent. Since 2013, over 1,27,872 fake and duplicate ration cards have been canceled in Jammu and Kashmir, and 702 in Ladakh. This is part of a nationwide effort to remove ineligible beneficiaries by digitizing ration cards, linking them with Aadhaar, and using e-KYC verification.
In response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, shared that 5.87 crore ration cards have been canceled across India from 2013 to 2024. In J&K alone, 1,27,872 cards were canceled to ensure food subsidies reach the right people. These changes aim to reduce waste and make sure food grains get to those who truly need them.
The data showed that Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of cancellations with 1,93,54,572 ration cards, while Mizoram had the lowest with 12,578. Among Union Territories, Delhi saw the most cancellations at 3,27,297, and Ladakh the least with 702.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), 80.67 crore people are getting free food grains across India. Jammu and Kashmir has helped this success by nearly completing Aadhaar seeding of ration cards. This process helps find ineligible records due to reasons like permanent migration, duplicate entries, and deaths.
The government is also focusing on completing e-KYC for PMGKAY beneficiaries to make distribution smoother. Nationwide, 65% of beneficiaries have done e-KYC, and states including J&K are being encouraged to speed up this process.
To fight malnutrition and improve food security, the government has introduced fortified rice under schemes like the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and PM Poshan. J&K is also ensuring fortified rice reaches all districts through the Targeted Public Distribution System.
Canceling fake ration cards in J&K is a major step in making sure food security programs benefit only those who deserve it. This reflects the government’s commitment to accountability and efficiency.
These reforms are expected to strengthen food security and improve the transparency of welfare programs in J&K, ensuring no eligible family misses out on government support.
