States must not delete ration card holders' names for lack of Aadhaar: Paswan

central government has asked States and union territories to ensure that names of people are t deleted from ration card database due to n- possession of Ahaar, Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday.

Identification of beneficiaries in Fair Price Shops (FSPs) is done primarily on basis of Ahaar auntication through electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) mechanism. minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution told Lok Sabha that in case of Ahaar auntication failure, certain or alternatives have been prescribed to avail benefits under public distribution system. "This department has reiterated time and again to all State/UT governments to ensure that instance of denial of foodgrains or deletion of names of family from ration card database only on ground of n-possession of Ahaar takes place," Paswan said in a written reply. Out of total 5.35 lakh FPSs in country, nearly 4.58 lakh FPSs have been aunticated with ePoS devices with Ahaar auntication.

"About 86 per cent (about 20 crore) ration card and 81.5 per cent (about 65 crore) of beneficiaries have been seeded with Ahaar numbers at national level. "Ahaar auntication of eligible beneficiaries ensures rightful targeting of PDS benefits," minister said.