Punjab has revised its NFSA rules, adopting the Centre’s criteria for excluding certain beneficiaries. Under the new norms, Punjab NFSA beneficiary exclusion could affect 11 lakh people who currently receive free wheat. The state government issued a notification specifying who will be removed from the list.
The notification excludes income taxpayers, GST or professional tax payers, owners of four-wheelers or air conditioners, and households with income over Rs 1.8 lakh. Small farmers owning 2.5 to 5 acres of land, government employees, and those with homes over 100 square yards or flats above 750 sq. ft. will also lose eligibility. Marginal farmers with less than 2.5 acres remain unaffected.
Punjab currently has 1.52 crore beneficiaries. Officials said the notification only consolidates existing rules. Only individuals meeting exclusion criteria will be removed, while other family members will continue to get free wheat. A three-member committee led by the CM will finalize the revised criteria before verification begins.
The Centre had flagged suspicious beneficiaries, and the CM had earlier promised no deletions. Verification, now extended to six months due to paddy procurement, will determine final eligibility under the new Punjab NFSA beneficiary exclusion rules.
