No More Fake Ration Cards or Pensions: Delhi to Launch Unified 'Golden Record' for Citizens

New Delhi: The Delhi government is set to crack down on fake BPL cards, false income certificates, and fraudulent ration cards. In a major move, a Unified Data Hub will be created to centralize all citizen data—ensuring only genuinely eligible residents receive benefits from government schemes.

What Is the ‘Golden Record’ System?

The Unified Data Hub, currently under development by Delhi’s IT Department, will store the complete profile of every citizen on a single platform. This will include:

• Name and family details

• Employment status and annual income

• Address, caste, and education

• Number of children

• Vehicle ownership, if any

This database aims to create a ‘Golden Record’ for each beneficiary—preventing duplication and fraud.

Cross-Department Data Integration

Officials confirm that data from all key departments is being collected, including:

• Food and Civil Supplies Department: Ration cardholders

• Delhi Jal Board: Households with water connections

• Electricity and Tax Departments

• Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD): Birth, death, caste, and religion records

All this data will be integrated to detect inconsistencies and ineligible claims.

Caught Faking It? You’ll Be Removed from Schemes

If any discrepancy is found—like a person holding a government job but using a fake BPL card to get subsidized ration—they will be flagged by the system and immediately removed from the scheme. In some cases, recovery of benefits may also be initiated.

Why Is This Necessary?

Despite using Aadhaar for verification, the government has continued to encounter fraud in welfare schemes. For example, pensions have reportedly been paid out to deceased individuals. The Unified Data Hub will help eliminate such issues.

A pilot project is already running in six departments:

• Food & Civil Supplies

• Women & Child Development

• Social Welfare

• Revenue Department

• Labour Department

• Delhi Municipal Corporation

Pending Promises and Schemes in Delhi

The BJP-led Delhi government had announced several schemes during its election campaign. While the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has been implemented, others—like the ₹2,500 monthly direct benefit to women and the replacement of pink DTC tickets with smart cards—are still awaited.