Delhi Cabinet Raises Income Limit for Ration Card Applications
Delhi increases ration card income limit to ₹1.2 lakh annually.
Photo by Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County
The Delhi Cabinet has approved increasing the annual household income limit for ration card applications from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.2 lakh. Families owning property in A to E category colonies, paying income tax, owning a four-wheeler (excluding commercial vehicles), having a government employee, or holding a power connection exceeding 2 kilowatts are ineligible.
An income certificate from the Revenue Department is now required, replacing the self-certification system. A district-level committee will prioritize applications, and over 8 lakh ration card slots are vacant.
Key Facts
Income Limit Increased: ₹1 lakh to ₹1.2 lakh
Ineligible: Property owners, taxpayers, govt employees
Required: Income certificate from Revenue Department
Vacant Slots: Over 8 lakh ration card slots
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Connects to syllabus themes of poverty, food security, and social justice.
Potential question types: Evaluating the effectiveness of PDS, analyzing the impact of ONORC, assessing the role of technology in improving PDS.
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More Information
Background
The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India has its roots in the rationing system introduced during World War II. Initially, it aimed to ensure equitable distribution of food grains amidst wartime shortages. Post-independence, the PDS evolved into a crucial tool for poverty alleviation and food security.
The early focus was on providing subsidized food grains to urban areas, but gradually, its reach expanded to rural areas. Key milestones include the establishment of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in 1965, which is responsible for procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains. The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was introduced in 1997, aiming to better target subsidies to the poor.
The National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 further strengthened the PDS by legally entitling a significant portion of the population to subsidized food grains.
Latest Developments
In recent years, the PDS has undergone significant technological advancements, including the implementation of end-to-end computerization to improve efficiency and transparency. The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme, launched in 2019, allows beneficiaries to access subsidized food grains from any fair price shop across the country, enhancing portability and reducing dependence on a specific location. There have been ongoing debates regarding the effectiveness of the PDS in reaching the most vulnerable populations and preventing leakages.
Future outlook includes further strengthening of the ONORC scheme, improving the quality of food grains distributed, and integrating the PDS with other social welfare programs. The government aims to leverage technology to enhance monitoring and accountability, ensuring that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India: 1. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) was established before India's independence to manage food grain distribution. 2. The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) aimed to improve targeting of subsidies to vulnerable populations. 3. The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme allows beneficiaries to access subsidized food grains from any fair price shop across the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect because FCI was established in 1965, after independence. Statements 2 and 3 are correct regarding the aims of TPDS and ONORC respectively.
2. In the context of the Delhi government's recent decision to raise the income limit for ration card applications, which of the following criteria would disqualify an applicant? 1. Owning property in A to E category colonies. 2. Paying income tax. 3. Holding a power connection exceeding 2 kilowatts. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
According to the news, all three criteria (owning property in A to E category colonies, paying income tax, and holding a power connection exceeding 2 kilowatts) would disqualify an applicant.
3. Assertion (A): The Delhi government has increased the annual household income limit for ration card applications. Reason (R): There are over 8 lakh vacant ration card slots available in Delhi. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false
- D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: B
Both the assertion and the reason are true. The Delhi government did increase the income limit, and there are vacant ration card slots. However, the availability of vacant slots is not the direct or sole reason for increasing the income limit. The increase in income limit might be due to other factors like inflation or to include more deserving families.