No deadline to link Aadhaar to ration cards: Government

The clarification from the Food department has come amid reports that November 1 would be the last date after which essentials would not be given at fair price shops to those card holders who had failed to link Aadhaar number with ration cards. Sources in the Food department said, “It is mandatory to link ration cards with Aadhaar number. However, there is no time limit for this.”

“Since Aadhaar number is necessary for issuing smart cards, people have to register,” the source said. Officials reasoned that linking Aadhaar number with ration card would go a long way in curbing irregularities in the public distribution system and pilferage of commodities. 

The process to shift to smart cards in place of the existing ration cards from next year, might be delayed due to this. Anticipating the introduction of smart cards, Point of Sales (PoS) devices have been provided at PDS shops. Ration card-holder information, including Aadhaar card details, mobile phone number and the number of LPG cylinders, have to be updated with the PoS devices.