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Prayagraj: Over 1.82 lakh railway employees across the country have been identified as availing themselves of benefits under the free ration scheme despite holding government jobs and falling within the income tax bracket. Following the revelation, the Railway Board has issued a strict directive to all zonal railways, including North Central Railway, and production units, ordering eligible and tax-paying staff to surrender their ration cards immediately.
The issue came to light during a comprehensive eligibility verification conducted by the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The ministry found that a large number of railway personnel were drawing subsidized and free food grains meant strictly for economically weaker sections. Taking serious note of the violation, the Railway Board has instructed general managers across zones to initiate corrective measures and ensure that ineligible beneficiaries are removed from the system without delay.
Verification Reveals Widespread Violation of Norms
According to government welfare guidelines, employees working in government departments, public sector undertakings (PSUs), autonomous bodies, and local bodies are excluded from receiving subsidized food grains under public welfare schemes. Similarly, individuals who pay income tax are strictly ineligible for free ration benefits. However, the eligibility audit revealed that more than 1.82 lakh railway staff bypassed these rules to take advantage of the scheme.
The free ration initiative is designed to guarantee food security for impoverished and deserving families. When financially capable government employees remain on the beneficiary list, it undermines the core objective of the welfare program. The ministry’s findings prompted urgent administrative intervention to curb the misuse of public subsidies and restore accountability across railway establishments.
Mandatory Card Surrender and Self-Declaration
In an official communication issued by SK Roy, Deputy Director (Establishment) at the Railway Board, all zonal railways and production units have been told to instruct staff to voluntarily surrender their ration cards. The letter explicitly warns employees against claiming any such subsidies or welfare benefits in the future.
To enforce compliance, concerned railway officials have been directed to conduct internal checks to identify specific employees who have availed themselves of the free ration facility. Furthermore, the directive mandates that employees who have not used the scheme must submit a formal self-declaration confirming their non-involvement. This dual approach of verification and self-certification aims to create a transparent record of staff members and ensure that only genuine beneficiaries remain under the food security net.
Zonal Administration Reviews Board Directive
Confirming the development, Dr. Shivam Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Central Railway (NCR), stated that the zone has received the official letter from the Railway Board. He noted that the administration is currently examining the points outlined in the directive and will soon chart out the course of action for implementation across its divisions.
With the instructions now circulated to all general managers, zonal offices are expected to begin scrutinizing employee records shortly. The drive will focus on verifying ration card holdings among staff and collecting the required declarations. By enforcing these norms, the Railway Board seeks to ensure strict adherence to eligibility criteria and prevent the diversion of essential welfare resources meant for the poor.
