The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department of the Maharashtra Government has rejected the demand for an extension of the e-KYC deadline under the National Food Security Scheme, ordering its completion by the end of March. Meanwhile, the e-KYC process for 11.5 lakh beneficiaries in Nashik district remains pending.

Under the National Food Security Scheme, free food grains are distributed every month to Antyodaya and Priority Ration Card holders through the Central Government. Nashik district has a total of 38.35 lakh beneficiaries who receive food grains through EPOS (electronic point of sale) machines installed at 2,608 ration shops. The government has mandated the e-KYC process, requiring the fingerprint and mobile number of each beneficiary to be updated on the e-POS machines.

Additionally, the government has instructed the removal of bogus beneficiaries from the system. The initial deadline for e-KYC was set for the end of March. However, ration shopkeepers, citing frequent server issues in the e-POS system, requested an extension. Representatives of the ration shopkeepers' associations had also met Jayashree Bhoj, Principal Secretary of the department, who had assured them that an extension would be considered.

Despite this, the government issued an official order two days ago, reaffirming that the e-KYC process must be completed by March 31. This decision has put ration shopkeepers in a difficult position as they struggle to meet the deadline amidst technical challenges.