The process of issuing new ration cards in Delhi may start soon. According to official data, the lack of clear rules over the past several years has resulted in a large backlog.
More than 3,89,883 ration card applications are still pending in Delhi, and over 11,65,965 people are waiting to receive benefits under the Food Security Act.
During data verification, it was found that the income details of around 6,46,123 people did not match the required eligibility criteria. In addition, nearly 95,682 people remained listed in the system for a long time without receiving any benefits.
Over 8.27 Lakh Vacancies Created in the System
Official records show that 23,394 duplicate names were found in the ration card database. In 6,185 cases, benefits were wrongly registered in the names of deceased individuals. Also, about 56,372 people voluntarily requested to be removed from the system.
Due to all these reasons, a total of 8,27,756 vacancies have been created, according to a statement from the Delhi Chief Minister’s office.
These vacant slots will now be filled by eligible families who have been waiting for ration cards or food security benefits for several years.
Income Limit Increased to ₹1.20 Lakh
To expand coverage, the Delhi government has decided to increase the annual income limit for ration card eligibility from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.20 lakh. Families earning up to ₹1.20 lakh per year will now be eligible to apply for a ration card.
Government’s Aim: No One Should Go Hungry
The decision to revise the income limit was taken in a recent cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The move aims to make Delhi’s food security system more fair and focused on poor families.
According to the Chief Minister, the new food security rules will be implemented with the commitment to ensure that no one in Delhi goes hungry.
