Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Wednesday launched the QR coded digital Ration card to check fake ration cards in the State. The new ration cards, in the size of PAN card, would be made available, within a week to the people of the state.
Transport, Food and Civil Supply Minister GS Bali, Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Excise and Taxation Minister Prakash Chaudhary were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said the new system will help in controlling bogus ration cards besides it would check the pilferage of ration. The digital card will be linked with Aadhaar and operated through swipe machines. As many as 2,000 Point of Sale (PoS) machines, compatible with the card had been procured for civil supplies fair price shops.
There were 16 lakh ration cards which would be distributed to consumers within a week said Food and Civil Supply Minister GS Bali.
He said automation of PDS had begun in the State with digitalisation of ration cards and installation of POS machines in fair price shops, under the ePDS project. The cost of automation/computerisation shall be borne by the Centre and the State Govt of 50:50 basis, he said.
Principal Secretary, F&CS, Tarun Kapoor and Managing Director, Food and Civil Supply M Sudha Devi were also present on the occasion among others.