Port Blair, Sept 21: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration will implement the Food Security Act in the islands soon. In the first phase, all AAY and BPL card holders would be covered under the norms applicable under the National Food Security Legislation. Verification of the genuineness of beneficiaries would be an ongoing exercise, since the survey for BPL beneficiaries was done in 2002 and it is likely that many household/persons who were financially weak at the time of survey and received AAY/BPL ration cards in accordance with then applicable guidelines may have become financially sound with the passage of time and the economic upliftment of the family members.
According to the guidelines formulated by the Administration, all indigent persons are proposed to be covered under the ambit of food security. The guidelines specifically cover the homeless, disabled, widows, un protected children, transgender, person having annual income less than Rs.1 lakh among others similarly placed.
Heads of households that comprise members holding Government/Semi government jobs or having good established businesses of those otherwise financially sound are advised to surrender their BPL ration cards to the Card Section of the Directorate of Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Port Blair for conversion to APL. In the case of residents of other Islands, the BPL/AAY ration cards can be submitted to the concerned Supply Unit for conversion.
Further, if during verification at later stage it is found that any AAY/BPL ration card holders who is not supposed to be under the category as per the guidelines is still possession AAY/BPL ration cards after this notice, ration card will be cancelled and also legal action will be taken against the card holder. General public is also requested to inform the Department of Civil Supplies about such card holder who are in possession of AAY/BPL ration card who are financially sound due to above mentioned reasons.
Information in this regard can be given to this Department at the following Toll free Helpline number 1967 and 18003453197 and landline No. 03192-232059/230337.
