Information and Public Relations Department, Chandigarh, Punjab,December 29: The Punjab Government has taken big step forward in the directionof digitalisation of the government by introducing smart ration cards for the purpose of Public DistributionSystem, It has revolutionized the functioning of the department. It was disclosed Mr. Bharat BhushanAshu,Minister of Food and Civil Supplies.
He said that duringthe year 2017 the Congress Government led by Captain Amarinder Singh hadpromised the people of the state to make smart cards for the grain distributionsystem and digitization of this Public Distribution System. He said that thispromise has now been fulfilled. He saidthat new system will enable the beneficiaries to get direct benefit also thedepartment will be able to distribute ration to the needy in hasslefree manner.
He disclosed that under this scheme, 1.41 crore people of 37lakh families of the state will get direct benefit. Apart from this, the State sponsored Schemehas been started by the Punjab Government for the families of the state whichcould not come under the Smart Ration Card Scheme, under which 9,48,801 membersof 2,37,200 families (4 members of 1 family) of the state will get benefit of the scheme.
He said that theCongress Government after assuming power, during the year 2017 started pilot project in some districts todistribute wheat through biometric medium by e-pos machine. This led to thedistribution of wheat with complete transparency under the scheme. Similarly, from year 2018 till now, wheat isbeing distributed all over the state through online ePos machines, therebyeliminating any diversion and the benefit of this welfare scheme to onlyqualified beneficiaries . He said that the state government in order to hike the income of the depot holdershas already increased the margion money of the depot holders from Rs. 25 perquintal on the distribution of wheat to Rs. 50 per quintal .