Delhi Overhauls Food Security with New Quota-Based Ration Rules
Delhi introduces district quotas and stricter eligibility to ensure fair ration distribution.
The Delhi government has introduced the Delhi Food Security Rules, 2025, approved by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, to revamp the public distribution system and make it more targeted and transparent. Ration cards will now be issued according to district-specific quotas determined by population figures from the latest census. This approach aims to prevent over-allocation in certain areas and ensure equitable access to subsidized food grains across the national capital.
A key feature of the new rules is rigorous verification of existing ration card holders to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries, including duplicates and “silent” ones who have not availed benefits for years. Officials have identified around 23,394 duplicate entries and nearly 95,682 inactive beneficiaries. The policy mandates a family income certificate for eligibility, replacing the previous self-certification system prone to misuse, while raising the annual household income limit from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.2 lakh to include more deserving low-income families.
District-level committees, chaired by the District Magistrate or Additional District Magistrate and including MLAs, SDMs, and other officials, will prioritize the “poorest of the poor.” These panels will maintain a 20% waiting list to fill vacancies promptly and focus on vulnerable groups such as daily wage earners, migrants, widows, and families without stable income. Exclusions apply to those owning properties in higher-category colonies, paying income tax, holding government jobs, or possessing certain vehicles and high electricity connections.
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To address grievances efficiently, the government plans a multi-layered redressal mechanism at circle, district, and state levels. This reform comes amid a massive backlog, with over 11 lakh people awaiting coverage under the National Food Security Act and nearly 3.9 lakh pending applications. By clearing irregularities through data verification and digitization, authorities aim to create vacancies for genuine needy households.
The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to a technology-driven, accountable Public Distribution System that ensures no deserving person goes hungry. It aligns with broader efforts to strengthen food security for economically weaker sections while promoting fairness and self-reliance.
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