The State government has initiated steps to install biometric system in all PDS godowns to ensure transparency in supply of food grains to sale points, said Minister for Food and Civil Supplies U.T. Khader.
Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, Mr. Khader said that the process is currently under progress.
Along with streamlining the supply of foodgrains to fair price shops, the biometric system would also help prevent wastage and ensure safety, he said.
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“The digitisation of applying and distributing ration cards has helped check the menace of fake ration cards. The government has further simplified the process of issuing BPL ration cards. Now, any family with annual income not exceeding ₹1.2 lakh can apply and get the BPL ration card. Anybody applying for the card online will receive the card at his doorsteps at just ₹120,” he said.
Mr. Khader claimed that the menace of fake ration cards has been checked after achieving cent per cent linkage of Aadhaar cards.
“Moreover, making a provision to avail ration from any fair price shops has led to a competition among the owners and this has led to an improvement in the quality of service,” he said.
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A total of 15 lakh new applications have been submitted for ration cards in the State and nearly 1 lakh applications have been rejected.
In Dharwad district, of the 55,000 applications received, 25, 000 applications have been disposed of and ration cards have been distributed.
The remaining applicants would receive the ration cards shortly, he said.
Later, Mr. Khader visited a fair price shop in Kamanakatti.