Pune: Govt Launches Major Ration Card Verification Drive, May Cancel Ineligible Cards by May 31
Pune, 12th April 2025: The Maharashtra Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection has initiated a state-wide drive to verify the eligibility of Antyodaya, Kesari (Orange), and White ration cardholders. The campaign, aimed at eliminating misuse and identifying ineligible beneficiaries, will run until May 31. Those who fail to submit valid residence proof and income details may face cancellation of their ration cards.
The verification covers both urban and rural households. Fair Price Shops have been directed to distribute verification forms along with a declaration letter that applicants must fill out and submit with supporting documents. Strict instructions have been issued to block duplicate ration cards and to remove names of deceased persons from the system.
“This exercise is not about harassment but about ensuring that only genuinely needy citizens continue to receive subsidized food grains. Ration cards are public welfare tools, not entitlements for the affluent,” said a senior official from the Pune District Supply Office.
Who Needs to Comply?
Holders of Antyodaya, Kesari (Orange), and White ration cards must participate in the drive. Those working in government or semi-government services, especially individuals earning over ₹1 lakh annually but still holding Kesari or Yellow cards, are being specifically scrutinized. If their income exceeds the eligibility limit, such cards will be canceled.
“No government servant with an annual income exceeding ₹1 lakh should hold a subsidized ration card. Violators will face cancellation and further inquiry,” the official added.
Documents Required
Cardholders must provide proof of residence, such as:
Aadhaar Card
Voter ID
Bank Passbook
Electricity Bill
Mobile or Telephone Bill
Gas Connection Receipt
Rent Agreement or Proof of Property Ownership
Driving License
Employer-issued ID Card
In addition, an income affidavit for the previous financial year must be attached.
How the Process Works
Submission: Applicants collect and submit forms at their nearest ration shop.
Zonal Scrutiny: Applications are then forwarded to the respective zonal offices.
Verification: Two lists are maintained—those who submitted documents and those who didn’t.
Deadline: If documents are not submitted within 15 days of notification, the card will be declared invalid.
Special Cases
Split Families: Members breaking away from a joint family can apply for a new ration card based on their individual income.
Duplicate or Fake Cards: Cards issued with fraudulent documents, issued in the name of deceased persons, or where multiple cards exist for the same household, will be immediately voided.
On-Ground Action: Yerwada Example
In Yerwada’s Zone E, nearly 32,000 ration cardholders are undergoing verification. Many cards have already been flagged due to duplicate entries, wrong income declarations, or nonexistent cardholders.
Fair price shop owners in the area were recently briefed on their responsibilities during a coordination meeting. “We have been asked to assist residents with the form submission and report any suspicious entries,” said a shopkeeper who attended the meeting.
Post-Verification Benefits
Families earning less than ₹59,000 per year will continue to get Kesari cards with food grain entitlement.
Those earning between ₹59,000 and ₹1,00,000 will receive non-entitlement Kesari cards (i.e., no grain allocation).
Approximately 1.08 lakh citizens in Pune currently benefit under this scheme through Yellow and eligible Kesari cards.
“Once the ineligible names are weeded out, we will be able to include many deserving families currently left out due to quota limits,” said the supply department official.
