Aseem, a non-governmental organization dedicated to working for the rights and entitlements of marginalized people, has written to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, requesting the formation of a high-level commission to investigate the arbitrary deletion of 20 lakh ration cards in the state.
SQ Masood, activist and Secretary of Aseem, identified various difficulties that led to the exclusion and deprivation of disadvantaged folks’ fundamental right to food in the nine-point representation. According to Masood, the Telangana government deleted around 2 lakh ration cards as a result of data digitization under the ‘End to End Computerization of Targeted Public Distribution System’ and technology-based identification.
Masood voiced worry that ration cards were cancelled without conducting field-level investigations or providing beneficiaries with proper warning. Beneficiaries who have not drawn rations from Fair Price Shops for periods ranging from 3 to 6 months have faced severe consequences.
Masood stressed the importance of the government addressing these concerns and ensuring that technical developments in ration card management do not accidentally alienate vulnerable communities in the representation.
Doubts were also raised about the 360-degree profiling system for all people, which was intended to streamline and improve the efficiency of social services. Masood went on to say, “The approach raises serious apprehensions regarding data limitations and privacy infringement.”
Regarding the mandated use of E-KYC and the addition of family members to ration cards, Masood stated that the Supreme Court and High Court asked the state to perform recertification of all deleted ration cards and address the issues of those enrolled between 2021 and 2023. This includes family members, and the courts have ordered the state to issue cards to all migrant workers who have registered on the e-shram portal.
Aseem’s representation highlights the significance of maintaining a fair and transparent system for managing ration cards in order to avoid unintended repercussions for vulnerable populations.
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