'Smart' ration cards

Karnataka has become the first state in the nation to issue computerised ration cards to families living below poverty line (BPL) under the public distribution system (PDS), according to food, civil supplies and rural water supply minister Govinda Karjol.

He told reporters here on Friday that 70 lakh BPL families will be given the computerised ration cards.

"A private firm has been selected to carry out the process. The card will contain information about the family, their socio-economic condition and digitised photo. It will also contain the thumb impression of the head of the household," he added.

The minister said that computerisation of ration cards is aimed at curbing malpractices at the PDS outlets. "It is easy to create a fake version of the existing ration cards. Computerisation will assist us in putting an end to circulation of fake ration cards. Besides, every transaction made by the computerised ration card holder will be recorded. The entire process will be streamlined," he stated.

The process of issuing computerised ration cards will commence shortly.

"Our aim is to complete the process by September 15. A survey has already identified the beneficiaries. The government will constitute panels at the district level to ensure that the work is completed within the specified time," Karjol said.