Apply for Ration Card: Karnataka

TYPES OF RATION CARDS

The following types of ration cards are issued in the State:

• Green cards and Yellow cards are issued to BPL families living in rural areas and urban slums.
• Antyodaya Anna Yojana cards are issued to poorest of the poor families living in rural areas and urban slums. The number of cards so issued is limited to 4.797 lakh families as prescribed by the Government of India.
• APL cards which are of two types, namely saffron cards and photo cards, are issued to families living above the poverty line (APL). Saffron cards are issued to APL families in rural areas and photo cards are issued to APL families in urban areas.
• Honorary cards are issued to families which do not desire rationed commodities but require ration cards for identification purposes only.

·         The State Government will ensure constant checking of ration cards to identify and eliminate bogus ration cards and to take stern action against persons found guilty of misusing the benefits of the TPDS.

·         Commodities Covered

• At present, commodities covered under the TPDS are rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene. Commodities supplied at the fair price depots shall be as per the norms prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act and Rules.
• Rice and wheat are supplied to BPL families at subsidised prices. After meeting the committed entitlement of the BPL cardholders and depending upon the availability of rice and wheat, APL cardholders will be sold rice and wheat at the scale and rates fixed from time to time.
• Only BPL families are entitled to get sugar under the TPDS. APL families are not entitled to get sugar.
• Kerosene is issued to ration cardholders subject to fulfilment of certain restrictions imposed by the State Government.
• All the cardholders will be issued other essential commodities under the Public Distribution System as decided from time to time by the State Government at the scale and rates fixed by the Government.

Eligibility

Every family residing in the State of Karnataka is entitled to a ration card.

Procedure

·         The application for a new ration card should be submitted in the prescribed form. The prescribed application forms are available in the respective offices free of cost. For obtaining computerised ration cards, an application fee of Re.1 is charged. The format is also displayed in the Fair Price Depots. The application can also be submitted on a plain paper but in the same format. It is not essential to use the printed form.

·         The application for a new ration card should be submitted in the prescribed form. The prescribed application forms are available in the respective offices free of cost. For obtaining computerised ration cards, an application fee of Re.1 is charged. The format is also displayed in the Fair Price Depots. The application can also be submitted on a plain paper but in the same format. It is not essential to use the printed form.

·         Either the head of the family or the spouse should submit the applications. Applications through intermediaries, social workers, etc. will not be entertained. Applications received in bundles through anyone will also not be entertained.

Necessary documents/papers

·         Three passport-sized photographs of the applicant

·         Proof of residence: Copy of any of the following documents showing the residence address of the applicant

·         Identity card issued by the Government or by Public Sector Undertakings

·         Latest telephone bill on the name of the applicant

·         Recent mail received by the applicant

·         Latest LPG receipt on the name of the applicant

·         Valid driving license

·         Valid Passport

·         Voter Identity card

·         Latest tax paid receipt, if living in own house

·         Extract of the Electoral Roll

·         Latest rent-paid receipt, if living in a rented house, clearly indicating the name and complete postal address of the owner

·         Any other documents that may prove the applicant's residence

In respect of poor applicants who do not have any of the above documents, the Food Inspector will conduct local enquiry and draw up a mahazar about the applicant being a bonafide resident or not. Further, if the issuing authority is not satisfied by any one of the proofs given by the applicant, the authority may ask for a second proof from among any one of the proofs listed above. A decision will be taken on submission of the second proof.

·         Latest Income Certificate, if the applicant is seeking a yellow card (BPL card). In addition, the Food Inspector concerned will conduct a local inquiry to verify the information about the ownership of any valuable assets that may disqualify the applicant from being issued a BPL card.

·         Surrender certificate or deletion certificate issued by the competent authority of Food & Civil Supplies Department if the applicant has moved from one place to another.

Every applicant will be issued an acknowledgement with the due date. The applicant should demand and collect the acknowledgement. The applicant should obtain the ration card after duly signing in the assignment register maintained in the rationing office.

Fee

For the issue of a new ration card, Rs.5/- is the charge in case of BPL cards and Rs.10/- in case of APL cards, Rs.45/- for the issue of a computerised card in Bangalore I.R. Area and Bailahongal Taluk of Belgaum District.

In case of loss of ration card, the cardholder can apply for a duplicate ration card along with an affidavit about the loss of the card. The duplicate card will be issued after due enquiry, in 30 days' time. The charges for the issue of a duplicate ration card are Rs.15/- for BPL cards, Rs.25/- for APL cards and Rs.45/- for the issue of computerised ration cards in Bangalore IR area and Bailahongal district.