Ration stamp

Ration stamps or ration card is a card issued by a government allowing the holder to obtain certain rations. They are frequently seen in wartime. They are also used to provide goods to the poor sections of the society at highly subsidized prices.

They were employed in civilian rationing during World War II among the Allies. These were redeemable paper coupons. Every family was issued a set number of each kind of stamp based on the size of the family, ages of children and income. This allowed the Allies and mainly America to supply huge amounts of food to the troops and later provided a surplus to aid in the rebuilding of Europe with aid to Germany after food supplies were destroyed. This saved most of war-torn Europe from mass starvation and civil wars.

Ration cards have been an important part of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India. On the basis of their economic condition, people can buy goods like food grains, sugar, kerosene, etc. at varying prices, with the help of their ration cards.

They are of three types:

* Antyodaya ration cards, issued to the poorest of the poor.
* Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards
* Above Poverty Line (APL) cards

ee also

*Rationing in the United Kingdom