Official Guidelines for Form 15: Authorize Nominee for Ration Collection Due to Old Age or Inability

The Government of West Bengal has introduced Form 15 to assist ration cardholders who, due to old age, illness, disability, or any valid reason, are unable to collect rations in person. Through Form 15, a beneficiary can officially nominate a trusted individual to lift their entitled ration on their behalf. This provision ensures continuity in food grain access under the Public Distribution System (PDS) without inconvenience to the affected individuals.

To simplify the process for applicants, the Food & Supplies Department has enabled both online and offline procedures for submitting Form 15.

Form 15 Scheme Overview

Description	Details
Scheme Name	Form 15 Nominee Addition for Ration Collection
Applicable State	West Bengal
Purpose	To nominate an authorised person for collecting ration on behalf of the beneficiary
Target Beneficiaries	Elderly, sick, physically disabled, or otherwise incapacitated ration cardholders
Authority	Department of Food and Supplies, Government of West Bengal
Form Name	Form 15
Availability	Online and Offline
Official Website	https://food.wb.gov.in

Benefits of Form 15 for Ration Cardholders

Filing Form No. 15 provides the following advantages:

• Ensures uninterrupted ration supply to individuals unable to collect it themselves.
• Legally authorizes a nominee for ration collection.
• Reduces chances of forgery or unauthorized collection.
• Enhances transparency and documentation within the PDS system.
• Provides relief to elderly and differently abled citizens under government welfare schemes.

How to Apply for Form 15 (West Bengal)

The Government of West Bengal has enabled both online and offline modes to apply for Form 15, allowing ration cardholders to nominate a representative for collecting rations. This process is supervised by the Department of Food and Supplies and is applicable only to valid ration cardholders in the state.

Applicants must ensure that the nomination is based on genuine circumstances such as old age, physical illness, disability, or any other approved reason. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:

Apply for Form 15 Online (Through Official Portal)

Citizens who are digitally literate or have access to internet facilities are encouraged to submit Form 15 online via the West Bengal Food Department portal. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

• Open your browser and go to the official website: https://food.wb.gov.in
• On the homepage, click on “Citizen Services” or directly search for Form 15 – Nominee for Ration Collection.

Step 2: Log in to the Portal

• Use your registered mobile number, Ration Card Number, or Aadhaar-linked details to log in.
• An OTP (one-time password) will be sent to your registered mobile number for verification.

Step 3: Fill the Online Form 15

• Select the option to Add Nominee for Ration Collection (Form 15).
• Fill in all required fields.
  • Name of the Ration Cardholder
  • Reason for not being able to collect ration (old age, illness, disability, etc.)
  • Name, age, address, and relationship of the nominee
  • Nominee’s Aadhaar Number and Photo

Step 4: Upload Required Documents

Scan and upload the following documents:

• Copy of the Ration Card
• Aadhaar card of both the applicant and nominee
• Recent passport-size photograph of the nominee
• Supporting medical certificate (if applicable)
• Declaration of authorization (as per format)

Step 5: Submit the Application

• Once completed, click on Submit.
• After submission, an acknowledgment receipt with a unique reference number will be generated.
• Save or print the receipt for tracking or future reference.

Step 6: Application Status Tracking

• Use your acknowledgment/reference number to track the status of your Form 15 application on the portal.

2. Apply for Form 15 Offline (Manual Submission at Food Office)

For applicants without internet access or those preferring physical submission, the offline application process for Form 15 is available through local Food Supply Offices.

Step 1: Collect Form 15

• Visit your nearest:
  • Food Supply Office (FSO)
  • Fair Price Shop (Ration Dealer)
  • Block Development Office (BDO)
• Ask for the Form 15 Application Form for adding a nominee.

Step 2: Fill the Form Carefully

• Use a black or blue pen to fill the form in capital letters.
• Provide:
  • Applicant’s full name and ration card number
  • Reason for authorisation
  • Nominee’s full name, relationship, and Aadhaar number
  • Address and contact details

Step 3: Attach Required Documents

Attach self-attested photocopies of the following:

• Ration Card (applicant)
• Aadhaar of applicant and nominee
• Nominee’s photograph
• Age or disability certificate (if applicable)

Step 4: Submit the Application

• Submit the filled Form 15 along with documents to the Food Supply Officer or Designated Authority in your ward/block.
• Obtain a stamped acknowledgment slip.

Step 5: Verification and Approval

• The food inspector will verify the documents and may conduct a physical visit if necessary.
• Upon successful verification, the nominee will be added officially, and a notification will be sent to the registered mobile number.

Important Notes While Applying for Form 15

• Ensure that all details, especially Aadhaar and ration card numbers, are accurate and legible.
• Do not authorize any person outside your family or trusted circle.
• Submission of false information may result in cancellation of the ration card.
• Always keep a copy of the submitted form and acknowledgment.

This detailed procedure ensures that applicants from rural and urban areas of West Bengal can easily submit Form 15 either online or offline, depending on their convenience and accessibility.

Documents Required for Form 15 Application

To apply for Form 15, the following documents are mandatory:

• Photocopy of the Ration Card (of the person seeking nomination)
• Aadhaar Card of both the applicant and the nominee
• A recent passport-size photo of the nominee
• A written declaration stating the reason for inability (old age, disability, etc.)
• Proof of relationship with the nominee (if applicable)

Whom to Contact for Assistance

In case of any difficulty while applying for Form No. 15, ration cardholders may contact

Office/Authority	Contact Details
Local Food Supply Office (FSO)	Visit the office during working hours (10 AM – 5 PM)
District Controller, Food & Supplies	Contact through the numbers available on https://food.wb.gov.in
Toll-Free Helpline	1800-345-5505
Email Support	[email protected]

The Form No. 15 facility under the West Bengal Public Distribution System serves as a vital support for citizens unable to collect ration due to genuine hardships. By nominating a trustworthy individual, beneficiaries can ensure uninterrupted access to food supplies without breaching system protocols. The government encourages all eligible citizens to make use of this form and maintain proper documentation for transparency.

For the latest updates and step-by-step application guidance, visit the official portal at https://food.wb.gov.in.

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