To ensure that benefits of its public distribution system (PDS) and attal-dal scheme reach the right beneficiaries in a smooth manner, Punjab Government has decided to replace the blue cards with the smart cards.
Giving its go-ahead, the State Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, on Friday also approved to engage three Central Government’s PSUs - Bharat Electronics limited (BEl), Broadcasting Engineering Consultants Indian limited (BECIl) and Electronics Corporation of India limited (ECIl) - for the computerization of state’s Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
The three units would implement the work of computerization of TPDS in the state after successful pilot project following a proper price discovery mechanism. The digitization of beneficiary details would aid in identification and elimination of bogus ration cards and better targeting of the subsidies.