Ration Card Split: West Bengal Ration Card Family Split Online Process Eligibility and Form 13 Details
Ration Card Split: Due to marriage, family disputes, or household separation, splitting the Ration Card family often becomes necessary. Previously, this required multiple visits to the Food Department offices. However, the Department of Food and Supplies, Government of West Bengal, has streamlined this process, making it entirely online. You can now apply for a ‘Family Split’ from the comfort of your home. Before applying, it is crucial to understand the eligibility criteria, as non-compliance can lead to rejection.
Who is Eligible to Apply for Family Separation?
Simply wanting to separate your ration card is not enough; specific benchmarks set by the Food Department must be met. Consider the following three critical factors:
- Minimum Member Requirement: If your current Digital Ration Card family has fewer than 7 active members, you strictly cannot apply for a family split. A minimum of 7 members in the original family is mandatory to initiate this process.
- Card Category Restrictions: This online facility is not available for beneficiaries holding ‘Antyodaya Anna Yojana’ (AAY) cards. Only those with PHH, SPHH, RKSY-I, and RKSY-II cards are eligible to apply.
- Waiting Period for New Members: If a new member has recently been added to your family via Form 4 (New Member) or transferred via Form 14, you must wait for at least 2 years from the date of their addition before applying for a family split.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fill Form 13 Online
The specific application for family separation is ‘Form 13’. Follow these steps to apply using your smartphone or computer:
Login to the Portal: Visit the official website of the Food Department and navigate to ‘Citizens Home’. Select the online application option from the Ration Card Corner. Log in using the Aadhaar number of any family member and complete the OTP verification.
Select Form and Members: From the dashboard’s ‘Online Form’ section, select ‘Form 13’. You will see a list of all family members. Select the names of the members who wish to separate and form a new family. Note that the member whose Aadhaar was used to log in will be automatically selected for the new family.
Authentication from Original Family: This is a vital security step. Consent from the original family is required. You must select one member who is staying back in the original family and verify their identity using Aadhaar OTP. This serves as proof that the original family consents to this separation.
Document Upload: Finally, upload scanned copies of the Aadhaar Card and Ration Card for both the new family head (the applicant) and the member from the old family who provided consent. Ensure the file size is under 350 KB and is in PDF or JPG format.
Status Check and Ration Collection Timeline
Once the application is successfully submitted, the process typically takes between 1 to 7 days to complete. You can verify the status by attempting to download the e-Ration Card from the website. If the downloaded card reflects only the names of the separated members, the split has been successful.
Important Note regarding Ration Collection: Even if the separation is reflected online, the data update in the Ration Dealer’s e-POS machine takes some time. Usually, the update appears in the e-POS machine from the month following your application approval. Therefore, if the dealer cannot see your new family details immediately, you will likely have to wait until the next month to collect your food grains separately.
