Ration Card Update: There is welcome news for residents of Chhattisgarh who have been waiting to get a new ration card made or to amend an existing one. The Food Department has reopened the online application portal for ration card services. Eligible individuals can now apply for a new ration card and make necessary corrections to existing ones via the Smart PDS 2.0 portal.
Applicants will need to provide details across approximately 40 different parameters when applying for a new ration card. Additionally, it is mandatory to scan and upload the required documents to the online portal.
Online process was suspended for nearly two months
The online process for issuing new ration cards in the district had been suspended for about two months, preventing people from applying. Residents also faced difficulties as the facility to update details—such as names, addresses, and other particulars—on existing ration cards was unavailable.
Many applicants had been making repeated visits to the Municipal Corporation and Food Department offices seeking to apply or make corrections. With the portal now back online, the facility for online applications is once again available.
According to Food Controller Anurag Bhadauria, the portal for new ration card applications has been reopened. Applicants can submit their requests along with the necessary documents via the Smart PDS 2.0 portal. The process of issuing the ration card will proceed once the submitted documents and information are verified as correct.
Documents required: From Aadhaar to bank details and caste certificates
Several key documents are required when applying for a new ration card. These primarily include the Aadhaar card number, bank account details, and caste certificate. Applicants must scan these documents and upload them along with their online application.
Failure to provide the necessary documents or to upload them correctly may hinder the completion of the application process. Therefore, it is essential to have all documents ready before applying. Details of Family Assets and Amenities Also Required
The online application process for a ration card seeks not only personal details but also various pieces of information regarding the family. The head of the family is required to provide details concerning their marital status, educational qualifications, and caste.
Additionally, the application asks whether the family owns an air conditioner (AC), a television (TV), or a plot of land. Information regarding any family member suffering from a serious illness must also be recorded.
It is also mandatory to provide a residence certificate, a family photograph, bank details, and information related to the gas connection during the application process.
Applicants Facing Difficulties in Scanning Documents
The online application process requires necessary documents to be scanned and uploaded to the portal. However, some applicants are encountering difficulties in getting their documents scanned.
Many individuals have had their essential documents laminated. According to those performing the scanning, lamination causes the documents to adhere to the plastic layer, making the scanning process problematic.
At the same time, removing the lamination carries the risk of tearing or damaging the document. Consequently, applicants must exercise extra caution when preparing scanned copies of their documents and uploading them to the portal.
