You Can Now Change Your Ration Card Type, Announces Tamil Nadu Minister

Food and Consumer Protection Minister R Sakkarapani has made an important announcement for ration card holders in Tamil Nadu. He stated that families may now change the category of their ration card according to their needs, provided they submit the necessary supporting documents.

At present, over 2.2 crore ration cards are in circulation across the state. Tamil Nadu issues five types of ration cards, categorised based on a household’s economic status. These are: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Priority Household Card (PHH), Non-Priority Household Card (NPHH), Sugar-Only Preference Card (NPHH-S) and Non-Consumer Card (NPHH-NC).

Holders of the Priority Household (PHH) card are eligible to receive rice, wheat, and other essential commodities at subsidised rates through ration shops. In contrast, Non-Priority Household (NPHH) cardholders receive only limited benefits.

To gain access to additional entitlements, eligible individuals may consider switching their card category. According to Minister for Food and Consumer Protection Department R Sakkarapani, applications for such changes can be submitted at designated government outreach events, such as the 'Stalin Ungal Thogudhiyil' (Stalin in Your Constituency) special camps.

Minister R Sakkarapani further assured that all valid applications would be processed without delay by the relevant authorities.