Section 4 in The Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2015
4. Ration Cards.
(1)The State Government shall issue ration cards to the eligible households as mentioned in the final list specified under sub-clause (12) of clause 3:Provided that while issuing ration cards to the eligible households, the State Government shall ensure that the coverage of the number of eligible households is not merely done with a view to exhaust the State-wise ceiling of number of eligible households.(2)The State Government shall issue a ration card only to a citizen of India who is resident of that State and who fulfills the conditions for getting a ration card as may be prescribed by the State Government:Provided that the State Government may also issue a ration card to a household or a person residing in that State by virtue of the household or person being granted the status of a refugee and is allowed the entitlement of benefits on humanitarian grounds by the Central Government.(3)The State Government shall ensure that a ration card, whether paper based or a smart card, is issued for use under the Targeted Public Distribution System or schemes mentioned in the Food Security Act or a specific scheme of the State Government for distribution of essential commodities.(4)While issuing a smart card, the State Government shall ensure that a point of sale electronic device for reading the smart card is installed at the fair price shop.(5)The State Government shall issue separate and distinct ration cards to the Antyodaya households and the priority households.(6)Ration card shall not be used as a document of identity or proof of residence.(7)The State Government shall prescribe a suitable form of application for new ration card and modification in the existing ration card.(8)Any modification referred to in sub-clause (7) may be on account of shifting of residence, birth or death, change in category of beneficiary, corrections in the details mentioned in the card or any other such reason.(9)The form referred to in sub-clause (7) may include requisite details including Aadhaar number, bank account details, and mobile telephone number.(10)The State Government shall retain all the information under this clause in the software prepared by National Informatics Centre or as per the fields and standards prescribed by the Central Government.(11)The State Government shall maintain the ration card data in the digitised database and ensure that issue of a new ration card and modification in the existing ration card is undertaken through the software programme so that the database is automatically updated.(12)The State Government shall designate the authority and office for receiving, registering, acknowledging and processing of application for issuance of ration card or modification in the ration card.(13)The State Government may also prescribe the procedure for receiving the application through online mechanism including the use of e-service centres, kiosks.(14)The designated authority shall issue a ration card to an eligible applicant within a reasonable time not exceeding one month of the date of receipt of the application after necessary checks and verification.(15)The State Government shall issue a ration card in replacement of existing ration card only when the existing ration card is lost or becomes unfit for use on account of being damaged or mutilated or is exhausted fully or where there are requests for modification in the ration cards.(16)The details of the services relating to the ration cards and timeframe for delivery of services shall be notified by the State Government and displayed in the public domain including on the State web portal.(17)The list of the ration card holders shall be displayed in the public domain including in the office of the local authority and on the State web portal, showing the category-wise names of the eligible households and their members.(18)The State Government shall make all endeavours to eliminate bogus or ineligible ration cards as a continuous exercise.(19)The State Government shall organise an annual special drive before the end of every financial year for the elimination of bogus or ineligible ration cards.(20)The State Government shall submit a report of ration cards deleted or cancelled on quarterly basis to the Central Government in the format at Annex-II.
