Ration card is needed for free gas connection and Rs 5 lakh health cover; documents required

Many people take the ration card lightly and think it is only for collecting foodgrain. But whether one wants a free gas connection or free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh, the ration card is the first document required for both.

Subsidised or free foodgrain is available on a ration card, as everyone knows. But that is not all. In several major government schemes, a person's name is not even considered without a ration card. Without the card, the benefits of these schemes will not be available, so there should be no delay in getting one made.

The first scheme is the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, under which a poor family is given a free gas connection. But the connection is not given simply on asking for gas; some documents must be submitted.

The first document is the Aadhaar card, which shows identity and address. The second is bank account details, since the gas subsidy comes directly into the account. The third is a photocopy of the ration card, which must carry the names of all members of the household. This is the most important, because the application will be stuck if the names are not there.

The second major scheme is the PM Jan Arogya Yojana, also called the Ayushman card. Under it, the government bears expenses of up to Rs 5 lakh in case of a serious illness. Even if hospital admission is needed, there is no worry about money. But a ration card is needed to get the Ayushman card made as well. Without a ration card, the Ayushman card is not made.

The documents required for the Ayushman card are: Aadhaar or PAN card for identity, proof of address, mobile number and e-mail, caste certificate, income certificate, and the ration card as proof of family.

The ration card is thus common to both major schemes. Without it, applicants will be stuck.

A ration card can also be made online from home. For this, register with a mobile number. Fill in the names, ages and other details of all household members in the application. Scan and upload the required documents. Finally, submit the application and keep safe the number received. With that number, one can check the status of the application.

The ration card is not just a card for the ration shop but a ticket to government schemes. Without it today, a free gas connection or free treatment of Rs 5 lakh could slip away tomorrow. Applicants should therefore not delay, keep their documents ready and apply online today.