PANAJI
The Goa Civil Supplies Department has announced that ration cards of households that do not lift their monthly ration quota for six consecutive months will be temporarily deactivated under the SMART Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS).
The new measure, in line with the Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Amendment Order, 2025, and directives of the Government of India, has come into force from October 1.
According to the official notice issued by the department's assistant director, ration cards with no successful ration-lifting transaction for six straight months will be identified on the 21st of every month. Such cards will be automatically deactivated on the first day of the following month.
While the cards will remain visible in the system, beneficiaries will not be able to lift ration and no allocation will be made during the deactivation period, the notice added.
It said affected families must complete e-KYC of all members and undergo verification within three months of deactivation and failure to comply will result in deletion of the ration card from the system. The notification also targets duplicate beneficiaries identified through Aadhaar-based matching with the Central Repository, either within Goa or outside the State. "Such beneficiaries will be temporarily deactivated and an SMS alert will be sent to the head of the family concerned. They will be required to complete e-KYC and submit relevant documents for verification within three months, the notice said.
Officials said eligible beneficiaries will be retained on the appropriate ration card after successful verification. Those failing to complete the process within the stipulated period will be removed from the system. The department has also advised all affected beneficiaries to immediately approach their respective Civil Supplies Taluka Offices to complete the necessary formalities and avoid cancellation of benefits. The move is aimed at improving the accuracy of beneficiary records, eliminating duplication and ensuring that foodgrain subsidies under the public distribution system reach genuine and active beneficiaries.
