Question : Linkage with AADHAAR

(a) the States where the Public Distribution System (PDS) has already been linked to AADHAAR along with the details of beneficiaries covered in each of the States;
(b) whether lack of AADHAAR number/card, poor network connectivity, incorrect reading of credentials by AADHAAR machines are acting as impediment in smooth distribution of foodgrains and other items through PDS, if so, the details thereof and the steps proposed, including creation of appropriate infrastructure to rectify these errors;
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up block level grievances redress mechanism to ensure speedy resolution of the problems and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to revert back to providing manual option at rural level to ensure easier access to foodgrains and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)
(a)& (b): Aadhaar based biometric authentication is not mandatory for receiving food grains under Public Distribution System. States/UTs have been advised to ensure that no beneficiary is denied benefits for not getting the Aadhaar, if entitled. However, for de-duplication of ration cards database and elimination of bogus cards, State Governments/UT Administrations have been requested to seed Aadhaar number in the digitized database. At present, 13.05 crore ration cards have been seeded with Aadhaar, as per State/UT-wise details at Annexure.
(c): For registration of grievances, States/UTs have been asked to provide online facility and to set up four digit common toll free helpline number 1967 as well as 1800 series toll-free number. The online grievance redressal mechanism/Toll-free helpline numbers are operational in all States/UTs and it covers the registration and redressal of grievances under Public distribution System at all levels.
(d): As stated above, Aadhaar based biometric authentication is not mandatory for receiving food grains under Public Distribution System.
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ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2756 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 10.05.2016 IN LOK SABHA
STATEMENT INDICATING THE STATE/UT WISE TOTAL NO. OF RATION CARDS SEEDED WITH AADHAAR
Sl.
States/UTs
No. of Ration Cards seeded with Aadhaar
1
Andhra Pradesh
92,03,422
2
Chandigarh (DBT)
55,959
3
Chhattisgarh
50,90,000
4
Andaman & Nicobar
13,370
5
Telangana
48,41,673
6
Rajasthan
96,34,446
7
Goa
1,24,193
8
Himachal Pradesh
7,58,548
9
Kerala
78,74,302
10
Puducherry (DBT)
1,75,979
11
Delhi
18,24,399
12
Punjab
25,66,966
13
Tripura
5,26,606
14
Daman & Diu
22,278
15
Maharashtra
1,29,11,973
16
Haryana
25,35,165
17
Lakshadweep
3,927
18
Jharkhand
38,89,498
19
Gujarat
45,00,000
20
Sikkim
66,954
21
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
23,616
22
Odisha
55,73,473
23
Jammu and Kashmir
9,23,365
24
West Bengal
3,21,00,000
25
Madhya Pradesh
62,14,273
26
Karnataka
54,84,172
27
Uttarakhand
6,57,751
28
Uttar Pradesh
1,21,59,661
29
Tamil Nadu
8,09,402
30
Bihar
9,000
31
Assam
0
32
Arunachal Pradesh
2,776
33
Mizoram
624
34
Nagaland
1,157
35
Manipur
1,891
36
Meghalaya
0
Total
13,05,80,819
***