Due to the repeated request from the people state government of Tamil Nadu has announced people who have only sugar option ration cards can convert their sugar option cards into rice cards. Tamil Nadu Food Minister R Kamaraj said TN Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has directed the Food Department to do the needful for those who want to change the cards.
At present, the state has 5.80 lakh sugar option ration card beneficiaries who cannot avail rice. Those who want to avail rice can submit an online application through the www.tnpds.gov.in or visit the local civil supplies office with photocopies of existing ration cards, the department statement said. The application forms will be accepted from December 5 to December 20. Minister added that the government has decided to provide this option following a long-pending demand from cardholders.
Previously, in November 2019, similar statement was issued by the government and a large number of cardholders submitted applications seeking conversion of cards so that they can avail all provisions, including rice, sugar, wheat, cooking oil and pulses. An official from the Civil Supplies Department said, the Food Security Bill provisions and restrictions by Centre in providing subsidised ration items resulted in cancellation of bogus ration cards and conversion of regular cards into sugar-only card. Even after that, the number of sugar option cards has come down to 5.8 lakh from more than 10 lakhs in 2018. There are more than 2 crore ration cardholders in the State combined in all provisions.
First level voter verification works to start in January, ECI, TN Elections 2021
