PDS system to be digitalised in Haryana

The entire system of storage and distribution of Public Distribution System would be digitalised in Haryana.Food and Supplies Minister of the State, Karan Dev Kamboj on Monday said that the consumers would be informed about arrival of foodgrains at the depots and their distribution by SMS on their mobile phones. This system would soon be started under a pilot project in Panchkula.

Kamboj presided over a meeting of all District Food and Supplies Controllers regarding the issue.The Minister said that now information about availability of essential commodities like  flour, pulses, rice, sugar, kerosene oil and other items   under Public Distribution System (PDS) would be made available to people on their mobile phones. Under the pilot project, 20 depot holders have been identified and they would get a facility of ‘Point of Sale Device’.

He said that soon, all information regarding foodgrains from godown to depot would also be made available on Whatsapp.For the smooth functioning of this system, phone number, account number and Aadhaar Number of all consumers are being linked with ration card. This would help in transfer of all kind of subsidies direct into bank accounts of beneficiaries, said the Minister.

Kamboj directed the Department to adopt stringent measures for making improvement in PDS so that people may not face any problem.He said that the new system would be started to put a check on corruption by making payments to farmers for their produce through cheques.  In this regard, all officers have been directed to take necessary steps to get this system implemented, said he.

Keeping in view the paddy season, he directed the officers to make all necessary arrangements for procurement on time so that farmers may not face any difficulty in selling their crop.