The distribution of smart ration cards, newly launched by the coalition government, started in 9 districts in the first phase on Monday. Similarly, the second phase will be distributed from the 30th of this month. The smart rice cards were brought with the aim of preventing cheap rice from going by the wayside.
Smart cards with technological features are being provided to the beneficiaries. Special features like QR code have been created. The government has revealed that this has provided the facility to take ration from anywhere in the state and from anywhere. This distribution process will be done in 4 phases till the 15th of next month.
This program was started in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Krishna, NTR, Tirupati, Nellore, East Godavari and West Godavari districts. Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar launched the smart rice cards in Varalaxmi Nagar in Vijayawada. Ministers and MLAs launched the smart cards in the respective districts.
Later, the secretariat staff is going door to door to distribute smart ration cards to the beneficiaries. The government has informed that smart cards will be distributed free of cost to 1.45 crore families in 15 days. Smart cards are being issued to 6.70 lakh newly applied cardholders as well as to those who have changed their address.
The government has also modernized these POS machines at ration dealers. Arrangements have been made to distribute goods with biometric and Irish identification by scanning them with the smart rice card. The information on the distribution of goods has been designed to be sent to the central server from time to time.
The government has informed that the new system has been introduced with the aim of clarifying irregularities in the distribution of ration and goods. Smart Rice Cards have been made in a pocket-sized format similar to ATM cards.
These smart cards have been designed with the royal seal and the beneficiary’s photo on one side. The QR code has been printed on the other side. Care has been taken not to have any photos of political leaders on the card. Officials said that those who have newly applied for Rice Cards will also receive the cards soon.
