Since Covid-19 is a respiratory infection and transmitted through droplets by touching of nose, eyes and mouth, the State Government on Saturday exempted the biometric mode of Aadhaar authentication for distribution of PDS ration.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said, “The biometric mode of Aadhaar authentication using fingerprint scanner and IRIS device has been exempted during distribution of PDS ration through e-PoS device at fair price shops until further orders.”
However, necessary instructions would be issued to field functionaries and fair price shop dealers to continue with distribution through e-PoS devices only in automated mode by maintaining social distancing and other Covid-19 advisories.
In February, 2017, the Central Government had made the biometrics mode of Aadhaar verification mandatory for the beneficiaries to avail PDS ration.