Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Wednesday launched the QR coded digital ration card, a step further to check fake ration cards in the state.
The new ration cards, the size of PAN card, would be made available, within a week to people.
After the launch, the CM said that the new system will help in controlling bogus ration cards besides it would check the pilferage of ration.
“The digital card will be linked with AADHAR and operated through swipe machines,” he said.
He said as many as 2,000 Point of Sale (POS) machines, compatible with the card had been procured for civil supplies fair price shops. Food and Civil Supply minister G S Bali said there were 16 lakh ration cards which would be distributed to consumers within a week.
“The automation of PDS had begun in the state with digitalisation of ration cards and installation of POS machines in fair price shops under the ePDS project. The cost of automation/computerisation shall be borne by the Centre and the state government on 50:50 basis,” he said.