Major step towards leak-proof PDS: Modi Govt achieves 100% digitisation of ration cards

New Delhi, May 6: In what could be termed as a huge boost to Modi Government's target of achieving a leak-proof public distribution system (PDS), the entre ration card database in all the States/UTs has been digitised.

Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan gave this information in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Friday.

Ram Vilas Paswan said that for bringing transparency and to check leakages & diversion of foodgrains, States/UTs have been asked to opt for any of the two models of Direct Benefit Transfer - Cash transfer of food subsidy into the bank account of beneficiaries or fair price shop (FPS) automation, which involves installation of Point of Sale (PoS) device at FPS, for authentication of beneficiaries and electronic capturing of transactions.

The cash transfer of food subsidy is being implemented in 3 UTs namely Chandigarh, Puducherry and partially in Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

For remaining areas, States/UTs have been requested to expedite the pace of FPS automation. Out of 5.32 lakh FPSs across the country, about 1.11 lakh FPSs have been automated.

Earlier this year Paswan said, "almost 100 % (99.9%) ration cards have been digitised across the country. Over 42 % ration cards have been even linked with Aadhaar cards and Point of Sale Devices, to keep electronic record of allocation to the beneficiaries, have been installed in over 77,000 ration shops. These measures will help making PDS more transparent and leak proof."

OneIndia News