Delhi becomes first State to launch e-ration card service

Delhi became the State in the country to launch an e-ration card service with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal initiating the scheme on Friday. The scheme for linking ration and Aadhaar cards would enable the beneficiaries of Public Distribution System (PDS) to get the cards online from the government’s web portal without hassles.

The new facility is expected to curb corruption and increase transparency in the system.

Launching the scheme in the State Secretariat auditorium here, Mr. Kejriwal said e-ration cards would bring immense convenience to the people of the Capital, as the new arrangement would cut down the delays in preparation and delivery to the beneficiaries.

As soon as an application for providing food security is approved by the Food Supply Officer concerned, a message will go to the cellphone number of the beneficiary informing him or her about approval of application and ration card.

The beneficiary can go to the portal of the department, http://nfs.delhi.gov.in, enter the ration card number and other basic information and get a password on cellphone. After entry of this password, the e-ration card will be generated which can be stored in the electronic form and used to get the ration supplies. It can also be printed by the beneficiary from anywhere.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Kejriwal said his government was committed to eradicating corruption in PDS and assured that strict action, including registration of criminal cases, would be taken against those found guilty. No one indulging in diversion and blackmarketing of ration would be spared, he added.

Mr. Kejriwal said many more e-government initiatives, including computerisation of fair price shops, would be launched in near future.