Food grains distribution under smart ration card scheme in Punjab

Punjab Food and Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu today launched a statewide distribution of food grains under smart ration card scheme through e-POS machines.

At a state level function organised at Kisan Vikas Chamber, here, he said this biometric supported electronic system would eradicate anomalies of the conventional public distribution system and decimate the probability of ghost beneficiaries.

"A regime of total transparency in public distribution system has commenced," he said.

Fulfilling a long standing demand of fair price shop owners, he also rolled out the distribution of cheques of enhanced honorarium to them.

He said that the government has enhanced the margin money/commission of wheat distribution for fair price shop (FPS) owners from existing Rs 25 to Rs 50 per quintal whereby a payment of Rs 40 crore would be made to 16000 FPS owners in the state.