New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Thursday that the process of issuing more than seven lakh new ration cards for the needy has resumed on a large scale from May 15, ending a 13-year wait of nearly eight lakh poor.

Addressing a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat, Chief Minister Gupta urged eligible and needy families to apply and said the Delhi government is implementing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Antyodaya’ vision to ensure that welfare benefits reach genuine people.

The Chief Minister said online applications for new ration cards and for adding family members have been opened through the e-District portal (edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in) from May 15.

Older applications submitted in the past have also been returned to applicants through their login profiles.

Applicants can update and resubmit them with a valid family income certificate and other required documents.

Chief Minister Gupta said the Delhi government carried out a comprehensive audit of the public distribution system after assuming office, which uncovered large-scale irregularities.

A total of 7,71,384 ineligible and bogus beneficiaries were identified. Of these, 6,46,123 beneficiaries were found to be above the prescribed income limit and therefore ineligible for subsidised ration. Another 95,682 beneficiaries had not availed ration for more than a year. In 6,185 cases, the names of deceased persons continued to remain on ration records, while 23,394 beneficiaries were found to be drawing benefits from multiple locations.

With these ineligible names removed, nearly 7.72 lakh vacancies have opened up in the system, paving the way for new eligible beneficiaries to receive ration cards.

The Chief Minister added that 3,72,367 applications for new ration cards and 99,501 applications for inclusion of family members are currently pending.

Since applicants’ residence, income and eligibility status may have changed over time, all applicants will be given an opportunity to apply afresh under the latest eligibility norms.

Chief Minister Gupta said the Delhi government has implemented the Delhi Food Security Rules, 2026, giving effect to the provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.

As part of the reforms, ration distribution has been modernised through extensive use of technology.

The Chief Minister added that traditional weighing machines at fair-price shops are being replaced with electronic weighing machines, while biometric authentication has been made mandatory.

“Ration will no longer be distributed without biometric verification, a move aimed at eliminating complaints of under-weighing and reducing leakages,” she said.

All ration card-related services, including fresh applications and addition or deletion of family members, have now been shifted online.

Citizens can apply either from home or through nearby facilitation centres.

According to Chief Minister Gupta, these measures will make the system more transparent, accountable, technology-driven and beneficiary-focused, ensuring that food security benefits reach only eligible households.

–IANS

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