Karwar: Advanced technologies have been put into place to avoid leakage in dispensation of commodities under Public Distribution System, said Minister for Food and Civil Supplies U T Khader.
Addressing reporters in Karwar on Thursday, Khader said that as many as 10 lakh bogus ration cards have been identified and cancelled in the state so far, due to which ration over 40,000 metric ton have been saved and distributed among eligible genuine families.
A total of 16.5 lakh new applications for ration cards have been received and three lakh have been scrutinised and printed. The same will be dispatched within a period of two months through speed post.
He said that rules have been relaxed to accommodate BPL cards for ASHA health workers and other categories whose annual income is within Rs 1.20 lakhs.
“Uttara Kannada district ranks first in the state in distribution of ration cards to applicants. The officials of the district are doing a commendable job, ” Khader said adding that 13,516 applications have been received in the district.
Khader said that biometric Point of Sale has been made mandatory for all Fair Price Shops to ensure that that ration is distributed effectively. About 50 per cent of this project has been completed and another 50 percent will be brought under biometric soon. The advantage of this system is that a person can avail his ration in any part of the state.
The minister said that under a new project, kerosene will be provided to families which have LPG connections as well. Those wanting to avail this facilities, will have to apply at the local Gram Panchayat and get approval from Food and Civil Supplies deputy director.
