New ration cards will not be denied to those living in rented houses, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob has said.
Mr. Jacob told reporters here on Friday that cards will not be denied to those who do not have own houses. In such cases, the applicant will have to furnish an affidavit of the house owner or ward member.
It has been decided to issue 54 lakh cards in the priority or BPL (below the poverty line) sector. Thus the total number of priority cardholders in the State will go up to 1.54 lakh.
The new cards to be issued in the name of the senior-most woman member will comprise all details and will be an authentic document that can be used to prove one’s identity.
It will have the electricity and water consumer numbers and telephone number, among other details. If the senior-most woman member is unable to reach the camps to be set up for issuing the cards, the card will be issued to the next senior member of the family.
New cards will be issued within six months. The process of issuing fresh cards has already begun. Camps for taking photographs will start functioning from January 19 and conclude on March 4. A social auditing will be held in July.
Details of issuing cards can be had from www.civilsupplieskerala.gov.in and also from the toll-free number 18004251550 and also from 9495998223, 9495998224 and 9495998225.
