From May 15, Ration Card Applications via WhatsApp: Minister Nadendla Manohar

In a major move to make civil supply services more accessible to the public, the Andhra Pradesh government has introduced new digital options, including the use of WhatsApp for applying for ration cards. State Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Nadendla Manohar announced that starting May 15, residents will be able to apply for new rice cards and avail themselves of six associated services directly from home by sending a “Hello” message to the number 95523 00009 via WhatsApp.

Addressing a press conference at his camp office in Tenali, Guntur district, Nadendla Manohar stated that these services were already rolled out through village and ward secretariats on May 8. The services include issuing new rice cards, card division, change of address, addition and deletion of family members, and card surrender. So far, 72,519 people have utilized these services, he said.

Nadendla Manohar also declared that by June, all eligible individuals would receive the new rice cards free of cost in the form of smart cards. These smart ration cards will contain detailed information about all family members.

Explaining the delay in the distribution of new rice cards, the minister said, “In March last year, the Election Commission of India halted the issuance of new cards due to the 2024 elections. Later, based on directions from the Supreme Court, eKYC registration was made mandatory, causing further delays. However, with 95 percent of the eKYC process now completed, the path has been cleared for issuing new rice cards.”

According to Nadendla Manohar, there are currently 1,46,21,223 rice cards in the state, benefiting approximately 4,24,59,028 individuals. Children under five years of age and elderly individuals over 80 years have been exempted from the eKYC requirement, affecting around 6,45,765 people.

As part of the reforms, everyone who completes the eKYC process will receive a smart ration card free of charge, the minister confirmed. He further clarified that individuals living alone, unmarried persons above 50 years of age, those separated from their spouses, and elderly residents in orphanages are also eligible to apply for the new rice cards.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the government is also extending these rice card services to individuals who have undergone gender transition, Nadendla Manohar announced.

Additionally, the minister stated that special Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards will be issued to pension-receiving artists in rural areas and members of twelve Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), including Chenchus and Yanadis living in hill regions. These cards will entitle them to receive 35 kilograms of rice per month.