Ration cardholders across the State will be provided with smart cards by May. Till then, people can use the existing family cards, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said here on Saturday.
Launching the smart cards scheme at Korattur, he said of the 6.90 crore family members in the ration cards, Aadhaar numbers of nearly 5.85 crore beneficiaries have been linked so far.
Of the 1.89 crore ration cards, Aadhaar details of 1.17 crore cards have been completely linked.
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Smart cards would be distributed across the State based on the data base at a cost of ₹330 crore. This would ensure paperless sales of commodities through point of sale machines in nearly 34,840 fair price shops, the Chief Minister said after handing over smart cards to a few beneficiaries.
Ration cardholders can collect their smart cards from the fair price shops after they receive a text message on their mobiles. As the public distribution system has been computerised, residents may submit applications for addition, deletion of names, and change of address online or at common service centres, he said.
The smart card scheme would ensure elimination of bogus cards and monitor transport of goods from godowns to fair price shops. Residents can register their grievances through toll-free helplines of 1967 and 18004255901.
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Minister for Food and Civil Supplies R. Kamaraj said time had been extended for other cardholders who are yet to register Aadhaar number details.
Later, he launched various school education schemes at a function in Ambattur.