The "ration card" is another, nearly universal, identifying document in India which serves another purpose: this card is mandatory if its owner wants to get grocery at affordable (I hope!) rates from the government's Public Distribution System.

Village loan sharks love to take this card as security for their cut-throat loans to the poor, because they know that its owner will try their level best to not jeopardize their access to this card: no card means the kids starve. Since the ration card is issued by the government, it is (well neigh) impossible for their clients to get a duplicate issued, as well.

This new thing will probably end up as one more piece of paper/plastic for the poor to spend their life redeeming from the shylocks.