The Department of Food and Civil Supplies, in an attempt to weed out bogus ration cards, has directed all existing cardholders, apart from fresh applicants, to immediately submit their EPIC card (voter identity card) numbers.
If the applicants have an Aadhaar card, the UID number of all the family members forming part of that ration card could also be submitted. This will help save the cardholders from going through a detailed scrutiny, said Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Tuesday.
Addressing presspersons here, he said the 40 lakh people who had obtained cards before 2010 and had not renewed their cards should submit the EPIC and UID numbers before June 30 failing which their cards will be suspended.
Of the 20 lakh new applications, four lakh had been processed and are ready to be issued.
People can submit the EPIC and UID numbers by sending an SMS from their mobile phones to 9212357123. Existing cardholders should first register their correct mobile number by sending an SMS — RCMOB RC number or RCMOB application acknowledgement number (for new applicants).
After this, they have to send the EPIC number from the same mobile phone by typing RCEPIC EPIC number. Separate messages (SMSs) should be sent to provide numbers of each family member.
The same process should be followed to submit the UID number (RCUID UID number) of every family member. Once collected, these numbers would be electronically validated by comparing with the database of Election Commission of India and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Urging people to submit correct information, the Minister said that non-submission of the details would entail suspension of the card. Subsequently, such cards would be taken up for verification through house visits.
People who do not have mobile phones can use the phones of their close contacts or neighbours.
However, the same mobile number cannot be used for more than three ration cards. They can even visit the department’s office and provide details in person.
Harsh Gupta, Commissioner, Department of Food and Civil Supplies, said that a new software had been developed incorporating the amended process. The new software has been evolved primarily to check bogus cards.
