The Andhra Pradesh government has extended the Know Your Customer (KYC) deadline for ration card holders by one month. Initially set to end on March 31, the deadline has now been extended until April 30. Officials have indicated that no further extensions may be granted beyond this period.
Mandatory KYC for Ration Card Holders
The KYC process is mandatory for all ration cardholders, except for children below five years of age. The government has provided facilities for KYC verification through e-PoS machines at ration shops and village and ward secretariat apps to ensure a smooth process.
The initiative aims to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries and prevent irregularities, such as individuals holding multiple ration cards within the same household, failure to remove deceased family members’ names, and unauthorized access to welfare benefits. The Civil Supplies Department is overseeing the process, following directives from the Central Government, which has mandated KYC verification across all states.
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Challenges and Decision to Extend the Deadline
Despite awareness campaigns, many ration cardholders have not yet completed their KYC verification. Reports indicate technical issues, including e-PoS system failures, server malfunctions, and app crashes, affecting the process. In response, the government has extended the deadline until April 30 to provide beneficiaries with additional time to comply with the requirement.
The state government has urged all eligible ration cardholders to complete their KYC verification before the deadline to continue receiving subsidized food supplies and other welfare benefits.