To plug leaks in PDS, Delhi govt to launch e-ration cards for poor

Concerned over the delay in the delivery of ration cards to the economically weaker sections, the Delhi government has decided to provide an online link that will allow applicants to instantly print their cards.

Concerned over the delay in the delivery of ration cards to the economically weaker sections, the Delhi government has decided to provide an online link that will allow applicants to instantly print their cards.

Senior Delhi government officials said the facility was likely to be launched by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Under the food security scheme, the eldest woman in a family can buy rice at a highly subsidised rate of Rs 3 and wheat at Rs 2 per kilogram. Families with an annual income more than `1 lakh are not eligible for the benefits.

Currently, smart cards are sent by post to the residence of applicants.

“We decided to launch this facility as in a number of cases, people reported a delay in the delivery of cards. In a few cases, ration cards were not delivered at all. Without a ration card, they can’t get food grain. In certain areas — including slum clusters — it is difficult to identify houses,” said a senior Delhi government official.

Sources said there were complaints against the postal department. The matter was taken up with senior officers of the department.

Once the e-ration card facility is in place, anyone — including MLAs and NGOs — working for the welfare of the vulnerable will be able to help the applicants to print the card.

Individuals will be able to log on to the government’s food and supplies website -- nfs.delhi.gov.in -- and print the card after providing basic information such as name, Aadhaar number and registered mobile number.

“As a security measure, a one-time password will be sent to the registered mobile number,” said a senior Delhi government official.

More than 16,68,914 families have been covered under the food security scheme and 59,32,440 are getting the benefits.

Beneficiaries will also be able to modify details online and print a new card.