Suspend biometric system for ration: Punjab to Centre

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 27

Amid the virulent second wave of the Covid-19, lakhs of persons from socially disadvantaged sections stand chance of being exposed to the virus as the Punjab Government has started distributing ration under the public distribution system (PDS), using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication system.

For getting ration, the beneficiaries are required to mark their attendance by pressing a button on the ePOS machines. This could become a breeding ground for the virus. Last year, after the pandemic hit the country, the use of the system was suspended by the government.

However, this time the Government of India is insisting that the ration be distributed using the biometric authentication, say sources in the state Food and Supplies Department. This is because ration meant for public distribution has been allegedly siphoned off by unscrupulous elements, say the sources. Though the government has reportedly asked the Centre to waive the rule, citing the health risk, it has so far not been exempted.

Information available with The Tribune shows that over 17 per cent of the wheat for the May-June period, has already been distributed to 7.36 lakh card holders under the Food for All Scheme till today.

The drive to distribute the ration using ePOS started on May 15. There are 1,900 ePOS machines, which have been sent to 17,000 fair price (ration) shops to be used by 39,03,616 card-holders to get 5 kg per person per month share of wheat.

Risk of infection

• Admitting that the biometric system posed a grave risk, Food and Supplies Department officials have said they are working on an alternative system
• The department is reportedly working on a mobile application, which will allow the beneficiary to scan his/her Aadhaar card on mobile phone and e-transfer it to the ration depot holder. Thus, there will be no need for the ePOS machine

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