Deadline for submission of Aadhaar numbers extended

With more than 50 per cent of the total 7.42 lakh ration card holders yet to submit their Aadhaar numbers and Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) details, the district administration has extended the deadline to furnish the details till July 15.

Addressing the media here on Thursday, Deputy Commissioner (in-charge) S Palaiah said that of the total card holders, around 6.08 lakh were below poverty line (BPL) card holders, and 1.34 lakh were above poverty line (APL) card holders.

However, among them, a total of 3.43 lakh card holders had furnished their Aadhaar numbers, while 1.75 lakh card holders had submitted their EPIC numbers.

Palaiah said that in the wake of increasing complaints against bogus card holders, the Food and Civil Supplies department had instructed all the card holders to provide the afore mentioned details.

Card holders have been asked to send the details sought through SMS to a dedicated mobile number on or before June 30, which has now been extended by another 15 days to July 15.

To ease the travails of those card holders who are still waiting for Aadhaar card, Palaiah said that citizens could send the acknowledgement number for now, and provide the required details after getting the card.

Senior Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies K Rameshwarappa warned of booking criminal cases against bogus card holders if they failed to hand over the same to the respective tahsildars, assistant directors or deputy director of the department, on or before July 20.

Confusion

In an attempt to clear the confusion pertaining to the lifting of ration for the month, following a recent protest from fair price shops owners, Rameshwarappa said that it was mandatory for all the fair price shops under Food Guarantee Scheme to distribute food grains in the first 10 days of every month to the beneficiaries.

The grains will be distributed from July 5 to 15, he said. Food Adalats are also being conducted on 7th of every month, and a nodal officer has been appointed for each shop, besides a committee to ensure smooth distribution of ration, he added.