A major development has emerged for ration card holders in Bihar. The state government has issued orders to remove the names of around 52.22 lakh people from ration cards. This action follows the rejection of Aadhaar verification during the verification process. These individuals will not receive food grains under the Public Distribution System.
The order has been issued by the Food and Consumer Protection Department. The decision applies to all 38 districts of Bihar. Officials stated that Aadhaar verification was either missing or incorrect in these cases. As a result, verification requests were rejected.
This decision may impact a large section of beneficiaries across urban and rural areas. Once names are removed, affected individuals will no longer be eligible for subsidized or free ration from PDS shops.
Status of Aadhaar Verification in Bihar
So far, Aadhaar verification has been completed for 5.92 crore ration card holders in the state. However, Aadhaar seeding of 6.74 crore PDS beneficiaries is still pending. This gap has raised concerns among authorities regarding transparency and eligibility.
Officials clarified that Aadhaar verification is mandatory for continuing benefits. Those who failed verification during this process are now facing removal from the ration list. The department has already instructed district administrations to take necessary action.
The move is aimed at eliminating duplicate, fake, or ineligible beneficiaries from the system. The government believes this will ensure that benefits reach the genuine poor.
District-Wise Rejection Figures Highlight Scale of Issue
According to district-wise data, Patna recorded 2.96 lakh rejected verifications. Darbhanga reported 2.64 lakh such cases. Nalanda saw 2.29 lakh rejections. East Champaran recorded 2.21 lakh rejected verifications.
Samastipur reported rejection of 1.40 lakh beneficiaries. Muzaffarpur recorded 1.79 lakh cases. Sitamarhi saw rejection for 98.7 thousand beneficiaries. Madhubani reported 1.98 lakh rejected cases.
West Champaran recorded 2.06 lakh rejected verifications. Vaishali reported rejection for 2.43 lakh beneficiaries. These figures indicate that both large and small districts are affected.
Officials stated that rejected beneficiaries were those whose Aadhaar details did not match records. In several cases, Aadhaar numbers were not linked at all.
Accepted Verifications Also Show Large Numbers
Alongside rejections, Aadhaar verification was successfully completed for a large number of beneficiaries. In Patna, 27.3 lakh verifications were accepted. Darbhanga recorded 24.7 lakh accepted cases.
Nalanda saw 15.3 lakh accepted verifications. East Champaran recorded 28.6 lakh accepted cases. Samastipur reported 25.7 lakh accepted beneficiaries.
Muzaffarpur had 30.4 lakh accepted verifications. Sitamarhi recorded 21.0 lakh accepted cases. Madhubani reported 26.9 lakh accepted beneficiaries.
West Champaran saw 23.8 lakh accepted verifications. Vaishali recorded 18.9 lakh accepted cases. These figures show that Aadhaar seeding is progressing steadily.
However, the high number of rejections remains a major concern for authorities.
Impact on PDS Benefits for Rejected Beneficiaries
People whose names are removed from ration cards will lose access to PDS benefits. This includes subsidized rice, wheat, and other essential food items. Many families depend heavily on these benefits for daily survival.
Officials stated that only verified beneficiaries will be allowed to collect ration. PDS shop owners have been instructed to follow updated lists strictly. Distribution will be stopped immediately for removed names.
This step is expected to improve efficiency in the ration system. However, it may also create difficulties for families with documentation issues.
Government Pushes Digital Ration Card Services
To improve transparency and convenience, the Bihar government has fully digitized the ration card application process. Citizens can now apply for ration cards online without visiting offices.
Applicants can visit the official website rconline.bihar.gov.in. The platform allows users to submit applications from home. The online process aims to reduce delays and corruption.
Officials said digital services will also help in faster verification. Aadhaar seeding and document uploads can be tracked easily. This system is expected to reduce future rejections.
Advisory for Ration Card Holders
Authorities have advised ration card holders to check their Aadhaar details. Any mismatch should be corrected immediately. Beneficiaries should ensure that Aadhaar numbers are properly linked.
District officials are expected to provide assistance where required. People facing genuine issues may approach local offices for guidance. Timely correction can help prevent removal from the ration list.
The department has emphasized that Aadhaar verification is essential. Without it, benefits cannot continue under the PDS scheme.
The decision to remove over 52 lakh names marks a major step in ration card reforms in Bihar. Aadhaar verification has become the central requirement for receiving food subsidies. While the move aims to ensure fairness, it may affect many families.
The government continues to promote digital services to simplify the process. Beneficiaries are advised to remain alert and updated. Future actions will depend on verification status and compliance.
