lieutenant-Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal, who is often criticised by the Delhi Government for allegedly turning down or returning several of its proposals, has concurred with the AAP Government’s proposal for suspension of e-PoS devices but not without taking a view contrary to that of the Government regarding the use of e-PoS in transactions.
The l-G observed that he was surprised to receive a proposal from the elected Government to suspend the operation of e-PoS devices which they themselves were very keen to introduce just a few months ago in view of its crucial role in preventing diversion of food grains.
Considering that all "legal", "financial" and "administrative" implications of the decision have been taken into account by the Delhi Government, the l-G stated that the very technology that enabled detection of fraudulent transactions should not be discarded. The l-G noted that introduction of e-PoS devices is part of a national level reform in the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) which enables end-to-end tracking of food grains.
"The objective of e-PoS devices is to ensure that only genuine cardholders or his or her family members whose names are mentioned in the ration card can buy the subsidised commodities.
“When the ration is taken, the e-PoS device captures the buyer's biometrics which is verified online with the Aadhaar database. The device helps record all FPS transactions electronically, which enables real time accounting of opening stock, daily sales and closing stock which in turn facilitates monitoring & detection of fraudulent transactions," noted the l-G.
He said he had requested the Minister in March to reconsider the decision to suspend the operation of e-PoS devices and take action to remove the names of ineligible beneficiaries by following due process but since the proposal has been received again, he concurred with it.