Bhatkal: BPL ration card holders have been urged to visit their respective ration shops and complete the e-KYC process for their ration cards at the earliest. The deadline, which was initially set for September 30, has been extended to October 20, 2026.
Bhatkal Food Inspector Uday Kumar said that, at present, e-KYC is being facilitated at ration shops for BPL ration card holders. He urged eligible beneficiaries to visit their respective ration shops and complete the process without waiting until the deadline.
Earlier, Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner (DC) K. Lakshmi Priya had said that 5,69,044 ration card members across the district had completed e-KYC around five years ago and that such members were now required to complete the process again.
According to the DC, as of September 27, 2026, a total of 2,44,930 beneficiaries in the district had completed e-KYC, while the process remained pending for 3,24,114 beneficiaries.
She had also urged ration card holders to complete e-KYC at their nearest ration shop without waiting for the last date. Failure to complete the process could result in various government benefits linked to the ration card being discontinued in the future, she had warned.
The DC clarified that e-KYC is completely free and beneficiaries are not required to pay any amount for the service at ration shops. If any ration shop operator demands money for e-KYC, a complaint can be lodged with the Food Department’s consumer helpline at 1967. Beneficiaries can also approach the Food Superintendent or Food Inspector at the respective taluk office.