The deadline for submission of Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) by ration card holders, including Above Poverty Line (APL), in urban areas will be extended by a month, Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, said here on Thursday.
August 15 was the last date for the cardholders to submit EPIC to the department. About 12 lakh ration cards have been kept under suspension for not submitting EPIC and the supply of kerosene has been stopped. But supply of foodgrains has not been stopped for the time being, he told reporters.
Supply of both kerosene and foodgrains will be stopped once the last date is over. So far, about 70 lakh ration cards have submitted their EPIC in the State.
The aim is to eliminate bogus cards and streamline the Public Distribution System. The department is preparing a database of ration cards linking them with EPIC. He said a similar exercise will be undertaken in rural areas.
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