Govt Asks States, UTs To Launch Special Drive To Issue NFSA Ration Cards To Economically Weaker Sections Of Population

The government on Wednesday (2 June) issued advisory to states and union territories (UTs) to launch a special drive to issue ration cards and providing foodgrains to the weakest and vulnerable sections of the society amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

"To Ensure coverage of all eligible identified persons from the most vulnerable and economically weakest sections of population under National Food Security Act assumes importance in view of current pandemic scenario of Covid-19," the Food and Public Distribution Ministry said in a statement.

"The Department of Food and Public Distribution has issued an advisory on 2 June to all States, UTs to launch a special drive to reach out, identify & issue NFSA ration cards to the most vulnerable and economically weakest sections of the population in urban and rural areas, by utilizing the available coverage under their respective NFSA limits," it added.

The ministry further said that it has called upon states/UTs to take measures to reach out to vulnerable and weakest sections of the society including street dwellers, rag pickers, hawkers, rickshaw pullers among others, who are in dire need of foodgrains, and are unable to procure ration cards.

The operational responsibilities of identification of eligible persons, households under NFSA and issuance of ration cards to them rests with states and UTs, the ministry said.

The ministry has further requested the states and UTs to furnish a fortnightly status report on the action taken to it.