The State Government on Wednesday brought distribution of foodgrains and other items through the public distribution system among below poverty line (BPl) families under biometric surveillance.
Considered a strong step towards liberating the PDS from irregularities, Chief Minister Hemant Soren introduced the IT-driven system on a pilot basis at Ormanjhi block under Ranchi district. The system will be subsequently implemented in other parts of the State.
The newly introduced system is second biometric based system since the launch of a handheld device based payment system to MNREGA workers that was introduced in lali panchayat under Namkum block. The Hemant Soren-led Government expressed its resolve to integrate the renovated PDS systems with several other beneficial schemes intended for poor people.
"Government works but neither Government gets any benefit of good works nor the people (it is intended for). So, the Government will be vigilant and address all issues that will surface in the implementation of this scheme," said the Chief Minister.
Notably, in December 2010, then CM Arjun Munda had announced biometric vigil for PDS. A sum of `159 crore was allocated. The department roped in JAP-IT, which in turn engaged IT major Wipro as management consultant.
The newly introduced system helps in availing the PDS system through a biometric handheld device that costs around `15,000 and uses Aadhaar number for identifying a beneficiary. Interestingly, the biometric based PDS system which uses thumb impression for authenticating a beneficiary is also equipped with the feature of identifying those who cannot have their finger print verified. For those with invisible finger prints, the system sends a "one time password" on the registered mobile number which can be used for the authenticating the beneficiary. Notably, the system which is linked by information technology from one end — the warehouse — to the other end — the beneficiary — has improved flow of information and brought transparency in the system which until now depended on the information provided by a dealer.
"Now a dealer cannot take a beneficiary for a ride. The moment dealer lifts a commodity from the warehouse an SMS will flash on a beneficiary's mobile informing about the development," maintained CS RS Sharma. The coveted system that will be implemented across the State in later phases allows mobility to a beneficiary without getting deprived of the benefits. A person irrespective of his area of residence can avail the services of a PDS by approaching any dealer at his current place of residence.
Earlier, Ranchi MP Subodh Kant Sahay used the occasion to communicate the Centre's vision on Food Security Bill and linked the delivery system being used in the PDS as an offshoot of the bill. "The Hemant Soren-led Government has ensured that the Food Security Bill which Soniaji wanted to materialise even when she was not well reaches to every doorstep," maintained Sahay. Incidentally, the dealers that were given the handheld device rued lack of connectivity in remote areas. The device runs of two SIM cards — BSNl and Airtel — and it detects available networks automatically.
"(Connectivity ka thoda problem hai) Connectivity is a problem. It consumes more time in some cases than usually taken when work is done manually," said Umesh Kumar Mahato, a dealer.