In a major exposure of irregularities in the public distribution system, Ghazipur district authorities identified 13,294 deceased individuals still listed as active ration card holders. The revelation came during a verification process under the e-KYC mandate, implemented by the Food and Civil Supplies Department. Out of the total, 12,858 names were from rural areas and 436 from urban zones.
All have now been removed from the digital ration management system. The probe began amid reports of ration being claimed in the name of the dead. Post-COVID, the central government expanded free ration schemes, but loopholes enabled ineligible individuals to exploit the system.
The deadline for e-KYC completion has now been extended from 31 March to 30 June 2025, due to slow compliance. Ghazipur has over 6.35 lakh ration card holders, covering nearly 28 lakh beneficiaries. These include 59,537 Antyodaya cards and over 5.75 lakh Priority Household cards. However, only 82% of beneficiaries have completed e-KYC so far.
The remaining must comply by the new deadline. District Supply Officer has urged all families to update records and report any deaths within the household, so that names can be duly removed. The move is aimed at ensuring transparency and making sure that government food grains reach only the deserving.
