State Food Corporation to provide digital ration cards

The State Food Corporation will soon launch digital ration cards in order to check the increase in fake card holders. The department will begin initial tasks from October 29 across 12 districts of the state. Sources said the digital cards will be handed out by January 2014.

Food minister Jyotipriya Mallick said the cards will thereafter be issued in six districts of south Bengal, including Kolkata. The cards resemble ATM cards and contain photographs of the holder. Besides, every ration shop will be provided with a card-swiping machine. 

Mallick said a private company has been assigned with the task of making the digital cards. The company will deploy a staff member at each of the 801 ration shops in Jalpaiguri to collect required information from applicants and take on-the-spot photographs. The process will continue for a month.

 Food corporation official Biswajit Biswas said various awareness campaigns will start from October 29 to invite people with relevant documents to their respective ration shops. The message will also be spread through posters and announcements across the district. Biswas further said this will help detect fake ration cards.

Data available with the National Population register will be verified with the district food corporation’s ration card register before the digital cards are allotted. Meanwhile, 2,13,826 fake cards have already been cancelled after a campaign was held last year. According to the food minister, the new system will prevent misuse of ration goods, save unnecessary government expenditure, while genuine card holders will not be deprived of their just share. (EOIC)