STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Following an appeal from the Assam government two months back, altogether 3,202 "undeserving" beneficiaries have already returned their ration cards till July 23, 2021.
Of them, a total of 61 were AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) card holders while 3,141 were PHH (Priority Household) beneficiaries. On the other hand, there were 12,312-beneficiary family members (of the 3,202 persons who handed over their ration cards to the authorities concerned).
Mentionably, various types of ration cards are present in India. The respective State governments categorize people and issues different ration cards according to the categories. In 2013, the NFSA was passed to provide a certain quantity and quality food to people at affordable prices. The NFSA provides for two types of ration cards for all the states in the country.
RATION CARDS UNDER NFSA-2013: The NFSA provides for ration cards which are issued by the respective State governments. Distribution of food in FP (Fair Price) shops is according to the quantity and quality mentioned in the NFSA. Two types of the ration cards provided under NFSA are the AAY and the PHH.
ANTYODAYA ANNA YOJANA (AAY): This type of ration card is given to impoverished families identified by the State governments. Persons who do not have stable income are issued this card. Unemployed people, women and old-aged people fall under this category.
PRIORITY HOUSEHOLDS (PHH): The families not covered under AAY come under the PHH. The State governments identify priority household families under the TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System) according to their exclusive, inclusive guidelines.
The district-wise breakdown (alphabetically) of the cards that were handed over to the authorities is as follows: Bajali (4), Barpeta (27), Biswanath (63), Bongaigaon (323); Cachar (23); Charaideo (187); Chirang (50; Darranag (131); Dhemaji (70); Dhubri (92); Dibrugarh (17); Dima Hasao (4); Goalpara (18); Golaghat (125); Hailakandi (37); Hojai (7); Jorhat (74); Kamrup-M (137); Karbi Anglong (9); Karimganj (108); Lakhimpur (64); Morigaon (191); Nagaon (91) Nalbari (30); Sibsagar (146); Sonitpur (25); South Salmara/ Mankachar (12); Tinsukia (1,157) and Udalguri (15).
An official of the State Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department told The Sentinel, "We are getting an overwhelming response from the public. Though the pace of response was a bit tardy at the beginning, it has now speeded up."
Incidentally, this appeal to the affluent families to give up their ration cards was made by State Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass. The move was initiated so that the needy people can avail themselves of the benefits of the ration cards. Under the NFSA (National Food Security Act), there were 58,94,276 ration cardholders across the State In Assam, till June 31. Of the total cardholders, while 6,91,499 are AYY cardholders, as many as 52,02,777 are PHH cardholders. On the other hand, a total of 2,51,17,073 people are availing the benefits from these cards.
Earlier, Dass said that a section of affluent families also treated the ration cards as a status symbol. They used the rations cards for various other purposes, not just to buy essential commodities at subsidized rates. Dass pointed out that there are around 1 lakh cardholders in the State who are financially stable.
Also Read: 233 Ration Cards Surrendered Across Assam by Affluent Families, District wise Breakdown Inside
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