In a sweeping move to streamline the Public Distribution System (PDS), authorities in Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district have struck off the names of 50,323 “silent” ration card holders who failed to use their cards for six months or more, as part of a rigorous verification drive. The initiative, directed by Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi, aims to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries receive subsidized food grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the Jharkhand State Food Security Scheme.

Out of 1,64,237 inactive cardholders identified, 50,323 have been removed, while 576 were deemed eligible to continue receiving benefits. Verification is ongoing for 1,13,338 others. The highest number of silent cardholders was found in Jamshedpur’s urban area (68,565) and the Jamshedpur-cum-Golmuri area (46,703). Additionally, 20,067 cards were canceled due to suspicious Aadhaar linkages, with 2,500 more under scrutiny. Authorities also deleted 2,274 single-member cardholders who were either under 18 or over 100 years old, with 13,332 similar cases still being reviewed.

The drive follows earlier efforts, with 12,000 inactive cards already slated for cancellation in August 2024, primarily in urban areas like Jamshedpur NAC, Golmuri-cum-Jugsalai, Jugsalai Municipal Council, and Mango Municipal Corporation. The process intensified with the Smart PDS scheme, launched to curb food grain leakages, requiring Aadhaar seeding to prevent duplicate beneficiaries. Satyarthi has urged block-level officials to expedite pending verifications to ensure transparency and efficiency in the PDS, reinforcing that only bonafide beneficiaries should access subsidized rations.

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This cleanup is part of a broader state-wide effort, with Jharkhand previously canceling 67,780 duplicate ration cards between July and December 2021, reducing the total from 3.16 lakh to 2.62 lakh. The ongoing campaign has sparked concerns among activists, with groups like the Right to Food Campaign warning that technical issues in e-KYC processes could exclude genuine beneficiaries, particularly the elderly and disabled, potentially worsening malnutrition.

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