By Shafqat Sheikh
Ration cards play a crucial role in the lives of rural populations, ensuring access to essential food supplies and enabling beneficiaries to avail themselves of various government welfare schemes. However, the introduction of the Electronic Know Your Customer (EKYC) process has created significant hurdles for residents of many rural areas in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the erstwhile Doda district of the Chenab region.
Why EKYC?
EKYC is a digital verification process that updates and authenticates an individual’s personal details, ensuring accuracy and reducing fraud. The government has linked this process with ration cards to enhance transparency and accountability. While the initiative aims to streamline public distribution services, it has proven to be a challenge for people living in remote and underdeveloped regions.
Limited Internet Accessibility
The biggest challenge faced by rural communities is poor internet connectivity. Many villages in the Chenab region suffer from slow or inconsistent internet speeds, making it difficult for residents to complete EKYC formalities. Without reliable internet access, people struggle to update their Aadhaar details, which is mandatory for EKYC verification.
Document Discrepancies and Lack of Facilities
Another major issue is the mismatch of names and other details in Aadhaar and other official documents, leading to the rejection of EKYC applications. Many government offices do not have sufficient KYC facilities, forcing villagers to travel long distances to urban centers. When they finally reach these centers, they often face long queues, confusing processes, and repeated rejections due to minor documentation errors.
Aisha Begum, a 30-year-old woman from a rural village, shared her ordeal. Her husband, working outside the district, was unable to assist her with document updates. With rumors circulating that ration benefits would be discontinued for those with incomplete documents, she visited the local office for six consecutive days but could not complete her EKYC. She worries about her family’s food security, as they depend on government-issued rations.
No Aadhaar Update Centers in Remote Areas
In places like Bunjwah in Kishtwar district, where a large population resides, there is no Aadhaar updating center. Despite repeated requests from locals, authorities have not set up a facility. Even Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s local branch in Bunjwah has not established an Aadhaar center, nor has any private institution provided such services. This lack of infrastructure forces villagers to travel to other towns, incurring additional expenses and hardships.
Women and the Elderly Face the Biggest Struggles
The process of updating ration cards is particularly challenging for women and elderly individuals. Many families have male members working outside the state or country for extended periods. Women, especially those with children, struggle to travel long distances to complete documentation. The elderly, too, face difficulties navigating digital procedures without assistance.
Barket Ali, a 45-year-old local resident, pointed out the overwhelming crowds outside offices. He emphasized that most applicants are women from rural areas, waiting in line for hours in harsh weather conditions with little support. Despite government assurances of doorstep service delivery, residents still have to visit distant offices, raising concerns about when and how these promised services will materialize.
Possible Solutions
To address these pressing issues, the government must take proactive measures:
- Organizing Mobile EKYC Camps – Government officials should set up temporary camps in villages to facilitate EKYC completion for ration cardholders. This will reduce travel burdens and ensure that even those without digital literacy can complete the process.
- Expanding KYC Infrastructure – Panchayat, Tehsil, Block, and district-level offices should be equipped with sufficient computers and internet facilities to process applications efficiently.
- Recognizing Alternative ID Documents – Instead of relying solely on Aadhaar, the government should allow the use of voter ID cards, driving licenses, or other valid identification documents for KYC verification.
- Improving Internet Connectivity – Rural internet services need immediate enhancement to ensure smoother digital transactions.
- Training and Awareness Programs – Workshops should be conducted to educate rural residents about the EKYC process and how to complete it independently.
Government Action Needed
The concerns of rural residents, particularly in the Chenab region, demand urgent attention. Women and elderly individuals should not be made to suffer in extreme weather conditions for a process that can be simplified through proper planning. The administration must implement alternative solutions, such as mobile camps, village-level assistance centers, and simplified documentation procedures.
The government must act swiftly to ensure that no family is deprived of essential rations due to bureaucratic delays. Ration cards are not just documents; they are a lifeline for the rural poor. Ensuring a hassle-free verification process is not just a responsibility—it is a necessity.
(The author is a freelance writer and columnist from Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, and can be reached at freelancershafqat@gmail.com / 9419974577.)
