The central government has made eKYC mandatory for ration card beneficiaries in the public distribution system, and Andhra Pradesh is in the first place in taking advantage of it, said State Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar. He said that 4,24,60,000 people are benefiting from 1,46,21,000 ration cards across the state.
He explained that children under the age of five and people over the age of 80 are exempted from eKYC, and that number is 6.32 lakh. He said that the government has taken steps to provide ration cards in the form of smart cards, and the application process for it has been available in the village ward secretariats since 8th of this month, and 72,514 people have already applied for smart cards.
Along with the smart card application, the Minister said that the opportunity has been provided to change and add details of family members, and 51,770 new family members have been added in a few days. He said that 10,747 people have applied for the new ration card.
Manohar said that this facility will also be made available on 9552300009 from the 15th of this month through the WhatsApp Governance introduced by the government. He said that six services have been made available for changes and additions. He said that new ration cards will also be given to transgenders.
The Minister said that single women, unmarried people above 50 years of age and single people, and those who are orphans in ashrams for a long time will also be given cards. He said that the condition of artists in the state is deplorable and that 35 kg of rice will be distributed free of cost every month under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme to those who are receiving artists’ pension.
The minister said that the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme will also be applied to 12 social classes identified in tribal areas as per the rules.
