‘Priority’ and ‘non-priority’ ration cards will replace the below the poverty line (BPL) and above the poverty line (APL) ration cards respectively when new ration cards as mandated under the National Food Security Act 2013 are rolled out in the State in November. Henceforth, the eldest woman above the age of 18 years in the family will be the owner of the ration card.
Households with priority ration cards will get rice at Rs.3 a kg and wheat at Rs.2 a kg through ration shops. Non-priority ration card holders will have to purchase the rice and wheat at the present APL rate.
As per the Act, there is a provision for supply of one kg coarse grain, such as maize, per person through the ration shop. But, it will not be applicable for the State.
The State will have 48 per cent households with priority ration cards as per the census figures, official sources told The Hindu .
There will be a marginal dip in the total quantity of rice and wheat being provided as it will be for per person under the new system.
The Civil Supplies Department is gearing up to provide the new ration cards by November this year. The enumeration work will begin soon, the sources said.
If there are no women above 18 years in the family, the eldest male member in the house will be temporarily made the owner of the ration card.
