Kollam, Kerala: All those who applied for the priority category pink ration card will be reclassified and issued cards. Although it was said that the criteria for the pink card would be revised to include the most deserving people according to changing socio-economic factors, the card will be issued without applying all the criteria.

The beneficiaries were selected by dividing them into 17 categories, awarding marks based on factors such as being on the BPL list, lacking land or a house, belonging to Scheduled Castes, not having electricity, and lacking toilets. It was initially suggested that only those who scored at least 30 marks should be considered for the priority card. Based on this, applications from those who applied online without a BPL certificate from the panchayat were also returned.

The government finally directed that even those without a BPL certificate and those who scored zero marks be converted to priority cards, citing the low number of applicants. Consequently, the work to issue cards to 43,449 families who applied is currently underway in 83 taluk supply offices. The beneficiaries were informed via SMS that their application was returned due to the absence of a BPL certificate along with the online application. Those who did not notice this may not receive the priority card even though they are eligible.

A total of 2.94 lakh priority cards held by ineligible persons were earlier cancelled through intensive screening called “Operation Yellow.” It was decided to reclassify the cards to the most eligible persons in various phases for the vacancies available through these. It is reported that there will be another opportunity to reclassify cards soon, as more than 30,000 are still left. More ration allocation will be available free of cost on the priority card. It can also be used for medical benefits.