Ration Card

Darbhanga Ration Card Crackdown: Thousands of Fake Cards Canceled to Ensure Food Reaches the Right Beneficiaries

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Ration Card
Darbhanga, Bihar – In a major clean-up effort to strengthen the Public Distribution System (PDS), authorities in Darbhanga have canceled thousands of fake or duplicate ration cards in an attempt to ensure that subsidized food reaches genuine beneficiaries. The move comes in response to rising concerns of widespread misuse of the ration distribution system by ineligible individuals and families.

Massive Misuse Uncovered

Ration cards are vital for low-income families to access free or subsidized food grains through the government’s welfare schemes. However, it was discovered that many families in Darbhanga had multiple ration cards, allowing them to illegally claim more than their entitled share of food grains. In some cases, ration cards were issued in the names of husbands, wives, sons, and even extended family members—all from the same household.

Following the implementation of the One Nation One Ration Card policy, these irregularities became more apparent. Officials noted that some individuals were collecting rations from multiple districts and even different states, causing severe losses to the government and depriving genuine beneficiaries of their entitlements.

Ration Card Purity Campaign Launched

Acting on a rising number of complaints, especially those raised during the District Magistrate’s public grievance court, the Darbhanga Supply Department initiated a Ration Card Purity Campaign. The department is working closely with PDS dealers, Vikas Mitras, and local complainants to identify ineligible cardholders.

According to official figures, over 16,000 fake or ineligible ration cards were canceled between January and December 2022 across Darbhanga’s three subdivisions—Sadar, Biraul, and Benipur. This includes cards issued under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana and PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, two key welfare schemes.

Sadar Subdivision Leads in Action

Among the subdivisions, Sadar reported the highest number of canceled cards, with more than 6,000 deletions recorded. Biraul and Benipur also saw thousands of fake cards removed from the system. Officials confirmed that many deletions were conducted at the SDO level, while others were removed automatically during system checks.

The campaign has revealed the depth of ration card misuse, but it also highlights the administration’s commitment to restoring integrity in the distribution system.

Understanding the Ration Allotment

Under the government’s ration schemes:

  • Antyodaya cardholders receive 14 kg of rice and 7 kg of wheat per household.

  • Beneficiaries under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana receive 4 kg rice and 1 kg wheat per person.
    All rations are provided free of cost, aimed at ensuring food security for families living below the poverty line.

Legal Action Against Offenders

During the clean-up drive, officials also identified individuals who were not eligible but had still managed to get ration cards and were drawing government-supplied grains unlawfully. The department has warned of strict legal action against anyone who continues to misuse the ration system or fails to surrender their fake cards voluntarily.

Campaign Will Continue, Says DSO

District Supply Officer (DSO) Rakesh Ranjan confirmed that the campaign is far from over. “This is a long-term initiative. We will ensure that every eligible poor family in Darbhanga gets their rightful ration while taking tough action against fraudsters,” he said.

The administration’s efforts aim to protect the rights of the needy while cleaning up systemic corruption. With lakhs of people in Darbhanga still depending on ration subsidies, the campaign is expected to play a critical role in restoring fairness and transparency to food distribution in the district.

Author Profile

Kuldeep Singh Chundawat
Kuldeep Singh Chundawat
My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.