Shillong, Apr 16: The Awaken India Movement (AIM), Meghalaya has expressed concern over the lack of clarity regarding alternative identity documents for beneficiaries of the Public Distribution System (PDS) who do not possess Aadhaar.
AIM has urged the Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs to issue clear, written guidelines on acceptable alternative identification documents to avoid confusion at the grassroots level.
Stating that there is no legal requirement to link Aadhaar to receive government rations or benefits, AIM chairman Banshai Marbaniang in a statement today called for accountability and urged fair price shop dealers and concerned officials to ensure that no beneficiary should be denied ration because of Aadhaar related issues.
Marbaniang said that based on a Right to Information (RTI) response from the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills, confirming that no individual has been denied rations solely due to the lack of Aadhaar.
He said the response also highlights that although fair price shops and gas agencies are being encouraged to carry out e-KYC, there is no order that authorises them to act as decision-making authorities to stop or suspend any benefits of the public.
The organisation further asserted that any refusal to provide rations based on non-Aadhaar compliance is against the law and undermines the constitutional provisions meant to protect vulnerable populations.
