Distribution of smart cards, which is expected to bring many tangible benefits to card holders and the Civil Supplies Department, is making a steady progress in Tiruchi district.
Almost a month has passed off since the process of distribution began on April 1. The process was intended to replace the existing paper-folded ration cards with smart cards.
As per the statistics available with the Civil Supplies Department, there are 7,59,595 family cards in Tiruchi district. Of them, the Civil Supplies Department has received 3,51,735 smart cards. In turn, more than 1.75 lakh cards have been distributed to their respective holders up to April 26.
“We distribute cards in a phased manner in order to avoid over crowding at the ration shops. It has enabled the employees not only to distribute smart cards but also sell commodities to the card holders,” says Collector K. S. Palanisamy.
The card holders were initially asked to bring the eight digit OTP number, which was sent to the registered mobile numbers of card holders, to the respective ration shops for getting smart cards. The system has been further simplified. Upon receipt of smart cards, the officials would send an SMS to the card holders, asking them to get their smart cards in the respective ration shop. If they visited the ration shops, they would immediately be given new cards.
Mr. Palanisamy said it has been planned to complete the distribution within May. Since the cards were Aadhaar linked, those who had more than one card would have to relinquish the additional cards. Chances of manipulation, fake entries, double entries and duplication by ration shop employees would be eliminated. If transactions were made, the respective card holders would instantly receive intimation on commodities sold, price, date and time of transaction and others. They could also know the opening and closing stock of various commodities.
He said change of address, addition and deletion could be made on smart cards. They could make necessary changes at e-service centres in the district.
