Food security card

Introduction

A law was signed in 2013 to provide food grains to two thirds of the population in India. Under this law main schemes were included. Citizens to avail these schemes, they need to be holders of the card called national food security card. This card is issued by the food and supplies department of India. The overall beneficiary of the card is equity in public distribution of the basic food commodities at a reasonable cost, hence this card become an important one the below poverty line population (BPL)

Importance of the food security card

As the food security card provides many programmes for the poor population in India. The features of the national food security card are:

·         Public distribution system provides equal distribution of the food grains and cereals

·         The essential food commodities are given at very lower prices

·         Per person below the poverty line are ensured with five kilograms of cereals at lesser cost. The prices are

o   3 rupees for one kilogram of rice

o   2 rupees for one kilogram of wheat

o   1 rupee for one kilogram of coarse grains say millets

·         Free meals are provided for women who are pregnant, just delivered mothers who are lactating and few categories of children

·         Women who are pregnant and lactating are provided with nutritious benefits like 600 calories take home ration and a money benefit for six months of rupees 6000

·         Also the card holders are given the allowance for free medical treatment at certain identified private hospitals

How to apply for food security card

People who get an income less than 1 lakh per year fall into the below poverty line. This food security card can be easily applied online through the official website. Also in few cities the ration cards are replaced with the nation food security card. To apply for the card either you can do it online or by going to the office directly. In either case you need to fill up the application forms.

The details that need to be filled are full name of the applicant, family members name, applicant’s age, door number, ward number, name of the panchayat where you reside, residing Mandal or taluk name, mobile number and also aadhar card.

Points to be taken care while applying for food security card online are:

·         Head of the house details need to be filled

·         Once the head of the house is filled, a link is provided to add family members details

·         After this click on the finish button

·         If not details of the family members are not given then it can be filled at later point of time too

How to get the food security card

Once applied it online you can check the status of the application in the same official web page of the official department. The entire process is monitored by the officers and the application if the applicants are also verified. Once verified the card is issued by postal to the residential address. Or the applicant can receive it from the ward ration office.