Ration card-digitisation complete, will ensure leak-proof PDS

New Delhi, Feb 13: The Centre has completed the process of digitisation of ration cards, which will help make the Public Distribution System (PDS) leak-proof, an official said on Friday.

The move will help track allocation of subsidised food grain to the beneficiaries, the union ministry for food and public distribution said in a release here.

“Almost 100 percent ration cards have been digitised. Over 42 percent of these are linked with Aadhaar cards to keep an electronic record of allocation of food grain to the beneficiaries through more than 77,000 ration shops,” union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan said in the release.

“Over 54 crore people are being benefitted by Rs.2 per kg wheat and Rs.3 per kg rice after the implementation of the Food Security Act in 27 states. It has helped make PDS transparent,” Paswan said.

Paswan said all 36 states and union territories in the country had a system of online redress of PDS grievances and toll-free number for beneficiaries. He said huge paddy procurement has been made during the ongoing Kharif season.  (IANS)