54 lakh fake ration cards and counting in Mumbai

In June 2010, they said, no, you can’t use the ration card as proof of identity or even address proof. The Maharashtra government even issued a circular to all departments saying a ration card was only a means to draw supplies from the public distribution system.

Now, they say, since all voters do not have voters’ ID cards or any other document like a passport, the ration cards can be used to establish credentials when they turn up at the polling booths on 16 February for the civic corporation and zilla parishad elections. No explanations, of course, why most voters are without the voters’ ID.

In June 2010, it appeared to be a principle, which meant one cannot be used for the other. Now, for poll-related purposes, the circular can be set aside, because, a voter must be enabled to vote.

There are two underlying weaknesses in both these decisions. One, despite the June 2010 order, the ration card has been used  before as proof of address and identity. Two, if for a crucial purpose like voting, ration cards are simply not effective claims of proof, for one in five, according to the Maharashtra government, is a fake.