The government has cancelled more than 1.27 lakh fake and duplicate ration cards in Jammu and Kashmir since 2013, as part of a nationwide effort to streamline the Public Distribution System (PDS) and ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive food subsidies.
This move is part of a larger campaign to improve transparency in welfare schemes by using Aadhaar linking, digitisation, and e-KYC verification, according to Minister of State Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya.
In Jammu and Kashmir, almost all ration cards have been linked with Aadhaar, which has enabled authorities to identify and remove ineligible entries. These removals have addressed issues caused by migration, duplicate records, and deaths.
Around 65 per cent of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in the region have completed their e-KYC verification, further ensuring a more transparent and accountable subsidy distribution process.
The government is also working to enhance food security through the introduction of fortified rice under schemes like Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and PM Poshan.
This initiative has been fully implemented across all districts in Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring better nutrition through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
These efforts highlight the government’s commitment to eliminating inefficiencies in the ration distribution system and ensuring that welfare benefits reach the most deserving.