The Bihar government has launched a comprehensive verification drive to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries from the Public Distribution System (PDS). The state aims to remove over 54.20 lakh names from ration cards in the first phase. This initiative follows the linking of ration cards with Aadhaar, which revealed multiple discrepancies across various departments.
The drive is set to identify ineligible individuals who no longer meet the criteria for receiving government rations. The initial phase of the verification process is focused on checking the accuracy of data provided by beneficiaries. The state government’s move is designed to ensure that only eligible people benefit from the Public Distribution System.
Identification of Ineligible Beneficiaries
According to official reports, discrepancies were uncovered in several districts of Bihar. In Muzaffarpur, 2.34 lakh names were identified for removal. East Champaran and Sitamarhi also had significant numbers of ineligible beneficiaries, with 1.5 lakh and 99,000 names, respectively, flagged for deletion. These names were flagged based on mismatched or incorrect information found during the verification process.
The verification drive has also focused on Patna, the state capital, which has a significant number of active ration cards. Patna alone has 10.33 lakh active ration cards, including 2.30 lakh in urban areas. As part of the verification process, the E-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) verification is underway. Based on initial assessments, authorities expect that around 65,000 to 70,000 names may be deleted due to incorrect or ineligible documentation.
Cross-Departmental Data Checks Uncover Multiple Discrepancies
The discrepancies in the data were identified through a cross-departmental data matching process. The Bihar government compared ration card records with data from several key departments, including the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, the Transport Department, the Income Tax Department, and the civil registration databases.
Through this process, it was revealed that several beneficiaries had been incorrectly listed in the PDS records. Key discrepancies include individuals who:
Own more than 2.5 acres of land.
Possess four-wheeled vehicles.
Pay income tax.
Are deceased but still listed as active beneficiaries.
These findings triggered the verification process, and district supply officers have been instructed to carry out field verification before making the final deletions from the ration records.
Examples of Fraudulent Beneficiaries
Authorities have cited several examples to highlight the scale of fraud and irregularities in the ration card system. One of the notable cases is that of Abhishek Kumar from Sugauli, who files income tax returns worth ₹20 lakh but continues to receive free rations. Another example is Prem Yadav from Sugauli, who owns more than 2.5 acres of land and still receives benefits under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. Additionally, Amit Kumar Singh, who owns three four-wheelers as per the Transport Department, is still listed as a ration card beneficiary despite owning significant assets.
These cases illustrate the extent of the issues within the system, where individuals who do not meet the eligibility criteria continue to receive benefits meant for economically weaker sections of society.
Central Government’s Role in Initiating the Verification
The verification drive gained further momentum after the Ministry of Food Processing Industries requested updated data from all states. This request was triggered by the implementation of the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme, which aims to streamline and improve the distribution of food rations across India.
Under the new guidelines, beneficiaries who meet certain conditions are no longer eligible for ration benefits. These conditions include:
Being deceased.
Owning four-wheeled vehicles.
Paying income tax.
Owning more than 2.5 acres of land.
Following the central government’s request, a list of suspected fraudulent beneficiaries has been compiled and shared with the Bihar state government. The state is now working to review the list and take appropriate action.
Notices to be Issued for Clarification
As part of the verification process, individuals who are found to have submitted incorrect documents or who are found to be ineligible will receive notices from the district administration. These individuals will be given an opportunity to clarify their eligibility status. After receiving the notice, they will have 90 days to provide the required information. If they fail to provide valid documentation or if the violations are confirmed, their names will be removed from the ration card records.
District Supply Officer Vijay Bahadur Singh from East Champaran has confirmed that an investigation is ongoing based on the list provided by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. He emphasized that anyone found to have submitted false documents will be served a notice, and their names will be removed after the verification process is completed.
The verification drive launched by the Bihar government is a crucial step toward ensuring that the Public Distribution System benefits only those who truly need it. By identifying and removing ineligible beneficiaries, the state aims to create a more transparent and efficient ration distribution system. The drive also aligns with national efforts, such as the One Nation, One Ration Card initiative, to improve food security and reduce fraud within government welfare programs.
The verification process in Bihar is an important example of how data matching and cross-department collaboration can help clean up public welfare systems. It also serves as a warning to those who try to exploit the system for personal gain. As the process continues, it is expected that more discrepancies will be uncovered, leading to further improvements in the efficiency and fairness of the Public Distribution System in the state.
