{
  "id": 13278928,
  "title": "Uttar Pradesh: No New Mobile Phone Needed For Free Ration, Food Department Dismisses Rumours",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/uttar-pradesh-no-new-mobile-phone-needed-for-free-ration-food",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T00:14:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/uttar-pradesh/uttar-pradesh-no-new-mobile-phone-needed-for-free-ration-food-department-dismisses-rumours"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lucknow, October 9, 2026 - The Uttar Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Department has firmly rebuffed allegations that recipients of free ration must obtain a new mobile phone and complete OTP verification to receive their food assistance. Additional Commissioner Satyadev issued a statement asserting that no beneficiary is obligated to purchase a new handset for the purpose of availing themselves of this assistance. The department urged the public to disregard any false claims and to continue trusting the established distribution process. Free Ration Distribution Remains Unchanged The Food and Civil Supplies Department emphasized that the existing rules governing the distribution of subsidized food grains have not altered. Currently, free rations are dispensed through electronic Point of Sale (e-PoS) machines equipped with weighing scales, ensuring accurate delivery. Beneficiaries are permitted three attempts to enroll their fingerprints on the e-PoS device. Should biometric authentication prove unsuccessful on the first outing, two further attempts are granted on the same day. Iris scanning is presented as an alternative method if fingerprint verification continues to fail. Family Members Can Assist If a beneficiary's biometric data proves incompatible, any other household member whose name appears on the ration card may fulfill the verification requirements on their behalf. OTP Verification Clarified The department clarified that the OTP-based ration distribution system is not a novel development. It has been in operation since 2017, pursuant to the implementation of the National Food Security Act. This alternative verification method is exclusively reserved for individuals who are unable to complete biometric or iris authentication for various reasons. These may include the extremely elderly, persons with disabilities and those grappling with severe medical conditions. UP CM Supports 8 Unopposed Rajya Sabha Candidates Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated eight Bharatiya Janata Party candidates who secured seats in the Rajya Sabha unopposed recently. Data Shows Rare Use of OTP Verification According to figures compiled by the department, only 83,093 of the over 3.41 crore ration cards registered in Uttar Pradesh have utilized the OTP-based distribution system. This represents an infinitesimal fraction of the total transactions, rendering claims that beneficiaries are compelled to buy a new mobile phone for ration procurement utterly baseless and misleading.",
  "summary": "Lucknow, October 9, 2026: Uttar Pradesh's Food and Civil Supplies Department has dismissed rumours circulating on social media claiming that beneficiaries must purchase a new mobile phone and undergo OTP verification to receive free ration. In a clarification issued by Additional Commissioner Satyadev, the department stated that no beneficiary is required to purchase a new mobile phone to avail…",
  "key_points": [
    "Uttar Pradesh Food Department denies rumors of new phone requirement for free ration.",
    "Biometric and iris scanning remain primary verification methods for beneficiaries.",
    "Only 83,093 of 3.41 crore ration cards have used OTP distribution system."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}