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Keralam Minister Jacob Assures No Exclusion from NFSA Benefits Amidst Inactive Ration Card Reports
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News18•30-09-2026, 14:45
Keralam Minister Jacob Assures No Exclusion from NFSA Benefits Amidst Inactive Ration Card Reports
- •Keralam Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob stated no one would be excluded from NFSA benefits, despite reports of inactive ration cards.
- •The government learned about potential card deactivation for non-usage through news reports, not official communication.
- •An inspection revealed 44,000 priority cardholders under NFSA had not withdrawn rations for six months or more.
- •Many inactive households comprise one or two members, prompting a drive to encourage them to withdraw rations.
- •Inactive cards can be reactivated via e-KYC, and the state government plans to address the issue with the Centre.
Key Questions Answered
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob stated that the government has not received any official communication to disable unused ration cards and assured that no one will be excluded from NFSA benefits.
A detailed inspection by the department revealed that 44,000 priority cardholders under the NFSA had not withdrawn their rations for the last six months or more.
The government has initiated a drive to encourage households with inactive cards to withdraw rations so their cards are not frozen, and noted that such cards can later be reactivated via e-KYC.
