Application Procedure to Apply for Ration Card in West Bengal

Department of Food & Supplies, Government of West Bengal is the authority for issuing and managing ration cards allotment in the state. Ration Card is an essential document for availing necessary basic food items at lower prices, as a tool for identity, for applying for Aadhaar card, domicile certificate, etc. It is issued based on the income/economic status. It can be applied by any resident irrespective of caste.

Overview:

Types of Ration Card:

• BPL ration card – It is issued to the families below poverty line with an annual income of less than Rs. 10,000/-.
• APL ration card – It is issued to the families above poverty line with an annual income of more than Rs. 10,000/-
• AAY- Antyodaya ration card – It is issued to the families who are extremely poor with no fixed income or no means of earning income

Processing Time:

• A period of 15 days is required for processing a Ration card in West Bengal

Validity:

• Ration card is valid for lifetime and is to be renewed after 5 years.

Important documents required while applying for a Ration Card:

1) Proof of Identity: Any 1 of the following documents

• PAN Card
• Election Card
• Passport
• Driving License
• Identity Card/document issued by Govt. organisation

2) Proof of Address: Any 1 of the following documents

• Election Card
• Aadhaar Card
• Electricity Bill
• Telephone bill

3) Composite ID

4) Passport sized photo

5) Income proof

6) Bank Passbook

The above-mentioned original documents are to be produced for verification and these are to be submitted in copies for further process.

Eligibility:

• Applicant and his/her family members should be Citizens of India
• The applicant and his/her family should mandatory be a residents of West Bengal state
• Applicants whose ration card is expired can apply again for the same

How to Apply for Ration card:

One can apply for Ration Card in West Bengal either Online or Offline:

For Applying Online:

• The applicant is required to visit the official portal @wbpds.wb.gov.in
• Language settings can be adjusted as per preference
• Click on the Service Option on home page followed by Ration card and New Ration card for the family option
• Get the mobile number verified via OTP
• Login and fill the required details like name, address, DOB, marital status, Aadhaar no., mobile no., occupation details, income details, etc
• Upload the necessary documents in the prescribed format. Then add the family members and their details. Click on Register application.
• Then post verification, an ID will be issued for the entire family
• Ration card can be downloaded, altered, cancelled online from the portal

For Applying Offline:

• Visit the nearest Ration shop/ Block officer
• Get the application form (Hard copy) from the office/ download the same from the official portal
• Manually fill it, sign the declaration, paste photograph and submit it in the office with all the necessary documents. Fee payment is to be made if required
• On submitting the application form, applicant will get a receipt/ reference no. as acknowledgement from the office.
• Application will be verified by the concerned officer
• After thorough verification of documents submitted, the Ration card will be issued and sent to the registered address by post.