Aadhaar must for PDS foodgrain

 The government on Thursday made Aadhaar mandatory for purchasing subsidised foodgrain from the ration shops under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The government also gave time to those who do not have the biometric-based unique identification number to apply for Aadhaar before June 30.

Proof of possession

“The Department of Food and Consumer Affairs issued a notification under Aadhaar Act on February 8, which requires individual beneficiaries having ration cards under NFSA to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication to receive subsidies under NFSA (i.e. subsidised foodgrain or cash transfer of food subsidy),” an official statement said.

In effect from Feb 8

The notification takes effect from February 8 in all states and Union territories except Assam, Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir. This will also be applicable to all the new beneficiaries.

However, the government clarified that “till the Aadhaar is assigned to the beneficiaries of subsidies under NFSA, the entitlements shall be given to such individuals on production of ration card and either Aadhaar enrolment ID slip or copy of his/her request made to state government for Aadhaar enrolment along with any of eight documents, including voter ID card and PAN.

Provisions have also been made so that any member of an eligible household listed in the ration card shall be entitled to receive the entire quantity of entitled subsidised foodgrain or cash transfer of food subsidy under NFSA, if any one member of the household fulfils the identification conditions in case Aadhaar number is yet to be assigned to all members of the household.

Under NFSA, which was rolled out across the country in November, the government provides 5 kg of foodgrain per person every month at Rs 1-3 a kg, covering over 80 crore people.