Aadhaar must for PDS foodgrain; M’laya exempted

NEW DELHI: After LPG, the Centre on Thursday made Aadhaar mandatory for availing subsidised foodgrain from ration shops to better target of Rs 1.4 lakh crore subsidy under the National Food Security Act.
The notification has come into effect from February 8 in all states and Union territories except Meghalaya, Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.
The government has given time to those not having the biometric-based unique identification number to apply for Aadhaar by June 30. The government issued a notification to this effect but did stop short of saying subsidised foodgrain would not be sold to anyone not having Aadhaar after June 30.
Under the food security law, which has been completely rolled out across the country last November, the government provides 5 kg of foodgrain per person every month at Rs 1-3/kg to over 80 crore people.
“The Department of Food and Consumer Affairs issued a notification under Aadhaar Act on February 8 that requires individual beneficiaries   having ration cards under NFSA to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication to receive subsidies under NFSA,” an official statement said.
Aadhaar coverage in Meghalaya is appalling and in Khasi Hills it is only around 15 per cent and the slow progress was owing to the delay in appointing new service providers, the State Government said. The Centre had given time till December 2017 for 100 per cent enrolment in the country. It has been informed about the problems faced by Meghalaya in implementing Aadhaar. (PTI)