Centre launches web-based registration facility for ration cards

The Centre on Friday launched a common registration facility in 11 states and UTs to enable homeless people, destitutes, migrants and other eligible beneficiaries to apply for ration cards.

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) provides a maximum coverage for about 81.35 crore persons. At present, around 79.77 crore persons are given highly subsidised foodgrains under the Act. So, 1.58 crore more beneficiaries can be added.

Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey said the 'Common Registration Facility' (My Ration-My Right) has been launched on Friday, aimed at helping States and UTs in expeditiously identifying the eligible beneficiaries and issuing ration cards to such people so that they can avail their legal entitlement under the NFSA.

The secretary also informed that in the last 7-8 years, around 4.7 crore ration cards, involving an estimated 18-19 crore beneficiaries, have been cancelled because of various reasons. New cards are also issued by the states and UTs to eligible beneficiari