Ration Card for Transgenders | 06 May 2025

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a special drive to issue ration cards to transgender citizens under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). 

Key Points 

  • Status of Transgender Community: 
    • The Government was informed through the report by the Uttar Pradesh Transgender Welfare Board that a large number of transgender persons are deprived of permanent employment and government schemes. 
    • Due to social discrimination they are also deprived of basic facilities like food security, pension, health services. 
  • Intervention of Chief Minister : 
    • Taking cognizance of this report, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has directed that: 
      • The ration card distribution process should be made simple, fast and transparent
      • This work should be completed before the launch of the state's 'Zero Poverty' programme . 
      • All districts have been instructed to identify transgender persons who do not have ration cards and issue them documents . 
      • These beneficiaries should be added to the ' eligible household ' category and brought under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). 
  • Importance: 
    • This will promote social inclusion and provide equal rights and dignity to the transgender community. 
    • By ensuring food security , their economic condition will be strengthened. 
    • Administrative reforms and transparency will make the reach of welfare schemes more effective. 

 National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 

  • Notified: September 10, 2013 
  • Objective: It aims to provide food and nutrition security to the people by providing them with an adequate quantity of good quality food at affordable prices to lead a dignified life. 
  • Coverage: 75% of rural population and 50% of urban population eligible to receive subsidized food grains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). 
  • The National Food Security Act (NFSA) overall covers 67 per cent of the country's total population. 
  • Eligibility: 
    • Priority households covered under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), as per State Government guidelines. 
    • Houses covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana. 
  • Provision: 
    • 5 kg food grains per person per month, including rice at Rs 3 per kg, wheat at Rs 2 per kg and coarse grains at Rs 1 per kg. 
    • However, under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, the existing provision of 35 kg foodgrains per family per month will continue. 
    • There is a provision to provide maternity benefit of at least Rs 6000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers in addition to food during pregnancy and six months after the birth of the child. 
    • Food for children upto 14 years of age. 
    • Food security allowance to the beneficiaries in case of non-supply of food grains or meals. 
    • Establishing grievance redressal mechanisms at district and state levels.