Deadline for Smart Rice Card Corrections Set for Oct. 31, Confirms Minister

Quick Summary

• Smart Rice Card Updates: Andhra Pradesh government extended the deadline for alterations to smart rice cards until October 31, 2025.
• Launch Details: Distribution of smart rice cards began on August 26, covering 1.46 crore beneficiaries free of cost in two phases; currently,87% distributed. Remaining cards to be sent via registered post by December.
• reform Measures: e-KYC completion stands at 96.5%, the highest nationally; corrections can be made for free at village/ward secretariats till October-nominal fee of ₹35-₹50 applies from November. Updates possible through Mana Mitra App starting next week.
• Ration Portability Mechanism: Beneficiaries may collect supplies from any shop across Andhra Pradesh; unused cards will deactivate after three months but can be reactivated upon verification.
• Welfare Schemes Integration:

– White cardholders eligible for schemes like Aarogyasri healthcare.
– LPG cylinder distribution under Deepam scheme benefiting tribal areas with upgrades to larger cylinders.- Monthly ration provided to ~4.42 crore people across over 29,000 shops statewide.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Andhra Pradesh’s implementation of smart rice cards represents a notable advancement in digitizing and streamlining welfare delivery systems while promoting transparency and efficiency in ration distribution processes statewide. The use of Aadhaar-based e-KYC ensures precise beneficiary identification while reforms like ration portability enhance convenience and flexibility for cardholders-and could set standards nationally.

However, challenges such as discrepancies in Aadhaar data or ensuring timely access amid logistical scale-up remain potential bottlenecks requiring close monitoring by officials over time to maintain trust among beneficiaries. Welfare linkages further bolster state initiatives targeting low-income households comprehensively but highlight the critical need for lasting funding mechanisms amidst intensive rollout demands.

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