Kerala Issues 75,024 New Ration Cards to Strengthen Food Security

The Kerala government distributed 73,024 new Priority (Pink) ration cards and 2,000 Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY/Yellow) ration cards on August 3 as part of its 100-day action plan, reinforcing the state's commitment to strengthening food security and ensuring subsidised food reaches deserving households.

The state-level distribution programme inaugurated by Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan at Kanakakkunnu Palace in Thiruvananthapuram at 11 a.m. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob presided over the event.

According to the Food and Civil Supplies Department, 73,024 newly issued ration cards fall under the Priority category, while 2,000 new AAY ration cards have been sanctioned for the poorest and most vulnerable families in the state. During the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister personally handed over ration cards to 20 selected beneficiaries representing both categories.

Officials said the AAY beneficiaries were selected in the first phase from a pool of 6,900 eligible families identified for inclusion under the scheme, with further phases expected to cover the remaining eligible households.

Minister Anoop Jacob said the distribution exercise is part of the government's ongoing efforts to make the Public Distribution System (PDS) more transparent and equitable. He noted that ineligible beneficiaries have been removed from the rolls while new cards have been issued after considering the changing socio-economic conditions of families across the state.

The latest initiative is aimed at ensuring that subsidised food grains and essential commodities reach genuinely eligible beneficiaries, particularly economically weaker households that depend on the public distribution network for food security.

The large-scale issuance of new ration cards is expected to improve access to welfare benefits for thousands of families while strengthening Kerala's food security framework through a more targeted and updated beneficiary database.