(a) whether the Government has started any project to provide smart ration cards for food distribution;
(b) if so, the detailed list of nodal agencies and officers appointed for it, State/UT-wise;
(c) the progress made so far in this regard; and
(d) the details about the time-frame for the completion of the project?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (d): During the 11th Plan Period in year 2008, Government has piloted a scheme on Smart Card based delivery of Essential Commodities under TPDS in the UT of Chandigarh and Haryana State, through Food and Civil Supplies Departments of respective UT/State. This pilot scheme was stopped due to technical challenges and was subsumed under the plan scheme on ‘End-to-End Computerization of TPDS Operations” which was launched in December 2012 (i.e. 12th plan period). The validity of the scheme has been extended by the Government up to 31.03.2019 for completion of all key activities. The Component-I of the scheme comprise digitization of ration cards/beneficiaries’ database, online allocation of foodgrains, computerization of supply chain management, setting up of transparency portal and grievance redressal mechanisms. Component-II of the scheme comprises automation of Fair Price Shops (FPSs), which involves installation of electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices at FPSs for authentication of beneficiaries and electronic recording of sale transactions. As per information received from States/UTs, out of total 5.34 lakh FPSs across the country, more than 3.61 lakh FPSs have been automated so far for foodgrains distribution through authentication on ePoS device.
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