Delhi Defines Eligibility for Ration Cards: Owning a House or Vehicle May Disqualify You

The Delhi government has issued a notice clarifying the eligibility criteria for ration cardholders, emphasizing that households owning both a house and a vehicle may no longer qualify for subsidized food. The move comes as part of an ongoing verification drive by the Food and Supply Department to identify beneficiaries who do not meet the prescribed criteria.

Verification Notices Sent

Ration cardholders whose assets include land, a house, and a vehicle are receiving SMS notices requiring them to provide details of their income, property, and vehicles. Beneficiaries must also submit an income certificate issued by the Revenue Department, reflecting a minimum annual income of ₹1 lakh, which has now been made mandatory. Failure to comply will result in the cancellation of their ration card starting next month.

During the recent verification campaign, over eight lakh ration cardholders were found ineligible. The government has instructed these individuals to respond promptly to the notices or risk losing their entitlement.

Concerns from Ration Dealers

The Delhi Government Ration Dealers’ Association has raised concerns regarding the notices. While supporting the verification campaign, they pointed out that some recipients of the notice do not even own property in Delhi. Many residents who have land in their native villages but reside in Delhi are being unfairly targeted.

The association also warned that the income certificate alone should not be treated as the sole eligibility criterion, since non-eligible individuals could potentially manipulate the document to obtain a ration card. They urged authorities to ensure that only genuinely needy residents are covered under the scheme.

Striking a Balance

The Delhi government’s move aims to streamline ration distribution and ensure that subsidized food reaches truly deserving families. However, officials are being urged to carefully implement the verification process to avoid penalizing households unfairly.