Kottayam: Those unable to perform ration mustering due to being outside Kerala will not be removed from the priority list. Instead, they will be recorded under the Non-Resident Kerala (NRK) category. They can complete the mustering process when they return back to state.

The e-KYC process for yellow and pink cardholders, which began in September, is still ongoing. Of the 1.48 crore individuals required to complete the process, 1.34 crore have done so. The remaining 14 lakh individuals who have not yet completed the process will be investigated. Ration inspectors, assisted by ration shop owners, will visit households for mustering.

Although the deadline for the mustering process was set for December 31, it remains ongoing. Ration inspectors will continue with the mustering process as per the revised timeline.

Centre denies immediate increase in rice allocation
The Centre has turned down Kerala's request for an additional 3.99 lakh tonnes of rice to cater to non-priority category cardholders (tide over: The tide over ration is a food grain allocation provided to a state or union territory under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). It is given when a state's allocation is lower than the average offtake during a specific period).

Since the implementation of the Food Security Act in 2016, 57% of cards were shifted to this category, where individuals receive rice at the rate of Rs 10.90 per kg. Kerala’s food minister had recently sought an increase in allocation during a meeting with the central minister. However, the Centre has stated that any increase will be considered only after the completion of the census.