Maharashtra Ration Card Update: Your Card Will Not Be Cancelled Without Verification; Know the New Rules

However, eligible citizens need not worry—ration cards will not be cancelled arbitrarily and proper verification procedures will be followed, according to an official directive issued by the Department of Food and Civil Supplies.

Focus on Foreign Nationals and Duplicate Cards

The primary objective of the campaign is to identify and cancel ration cards issued to ineligible foreign nationals, especially those suspected of illegal entry from neighboring countries. If it is determined that a Bangladeshi infiltrator or any other foreign citizen has been granted a ration card, it will be revoked immediately.

All types of cards, including Antyodaya, Kesari, and Shubhra, will be examined under this initiative. The state government has instructed all ration shopkeepers to assist in this verification process by distributing designated forms to cardholders.

Documentation and Verification Process

Cardholders will be required to submit proof of residence along with the verification form. One key requirement is that this proof must be issued within the past one year. The submitted documents and forms will then be verified by regional offices of the Food and Civil Supplies Department.

If the cardholder fails to submit valid documents, the ration card will be subject to cancellation. In addition, if duplicate ration cards are found—such as two cards issued at the same address or two cards held by the same family—one of them will be automatically cancelled.

Government Clarifies: Eligible Cards Will Not Be Cancelled

In an attempt to ease public concerns, the government clarified that genuine ration cardholders will not be affected by the campaign. The move is solely aimed at weeding out fraudulent or duplicate entries in the system, ensuring that food subsidies reach deserving and needy citizens.

This initiative is seen as a major step toward improving transparency and efficiency in the ration distribution mechanism across Maharashtra.