86,000 illegal ration beneficiaries in Kerala

Kochi: An AI-based verification by the Central government has detected about 86,000 illegal people earning over ₹3 lakh annually availing of the benefits of priority ration cards in Kerala.
This was found by perusing their income tax returns which made them ineligible for subsidised food grains.
The list of ineligible beneficiaries has been forwarded to Taluk Supply Offices for further action, Mathrubhumi reported.
The authorities have also compiled details of priority ration card holders owning over one acre of land and receiving benefits under the PM-Kisan scheme.
The government has further directed officials to identify priority ration card holders who have applied for GST registration or incorporated companies.
Those found ineligible will be required to repay the market value of the food grains they received free of cost. The recovery will be calculated at ₹40 per kg for rice and ₹29 per kg for wheat.