Punjab minister Lal Chand Kataruchak on Monday informed assembly that no new ration cards are being issued as about 18 lakh beneficiaries registered in the state are more than the capping of 141.45 lakh beneficiaries to be covered under the National Food Security Act.

Replying to a question on Baba Bakala MLA Dalbir Singh during the Question Hour in the budget session, Kataruchak said as per the provisions of the Targeted Public Distribution System Control Order, 2015, the Government of India has set a capping of 141.45 lakh people (51 per cent of population as per 2011 Census) that can be covered under the National Food Security Act, based on the 2011 Census