Two NE states digitalise rationing management

Agartala/Aizawl, Sep 6 (IANS) To curb the frauds and scams in the Public Distribution System (PDS), the Tripura and Mizoram governments have undertaken digitalisation of the rationing management under the Centre's "End to End Computerisation of PDS Operation Scheme", officials said on Friday.

"Tripura is the pioneer in the entire northeastern region in digitising the PDS management. Through the digitalisation of all 1,810 fair price shops in Tripura, rice, wheat, sugar and other essentials are being given to the people," an official of Tripura's Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said.

He said that currently 37,04,816 people in Tripura are getting the essentials from the 1,810 fair price shops through 9,14,556 ration cards.

The official said that the central government had introduced the "End to End Computerisation of PDS Operation scheme" several years back to curb the fraudulent activities in the PDS.

"Though Tripura implemented the scheme in the entire state, some of the northeastern states are yet to complete the task," he pointed out.

"After the computerisation of the PDS, 62,173 fake ration cards were identified. Around 2,81,000 people were holding these bogus ration cards," the official said adding that a large number of these people might be Bangladeshis.

Minister of State, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department K. Lalrinliana on Thursday evening launched the "End to End Computerisation of PDS Operation Scheme" in Mizoram.

An official of Mizoram's Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said that within the next few months, the digitalisation would be introduced in all the 1,420 fair price shops.

"With new system in place, bogus ration cards, fake number of people and other scams would be identified and unearthed," the official said adding that the new system would also ensure transparency in the PDS, reduce wastage and contain unfair disposal of the surpluses.

"With 'Aadhaar' number seeding, the end-to-end computerisation of the PDS would ensure transparency at various levels of the essential supply system."

The "End to End Computerisation of PDS Operation Scheme" is a joint initiative of the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and the National Informatics Centre and is being introduced in all the states and union territories of the country.