Ration Card Holders Get Good News: Monthly Cash Transfers to Bank Accounts

• Central Government plans to replace free rice distribution with direct cash transfers to bank accounts for ration card holders.
• This move aims to give beneficiaries freedom of choice and curb diversion of commodities through illegal channels.
• The new system will help eliminate fake ration cards, with over 80,000 duplicates already identified.
• An e-RUPI digital voucher system, in collaboration with SBI, will deposit monthly vouchers to beneficiaries' mobile numbers for redemption.
• Pilot projects have been successfully implemented in Puducherry, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, paving the way for nationwide rollout.