One nation, one ration card

The new PDS reform is a scheme on "Integrated Management of PDS" (IM-PDS) and it's goal is to achieve nationwide portability of ration card holders under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). This system allows migratory ration card holders to obtain their entitled 5 kgs of subsidised food grain from any Fair Price Shop using the card issued to them by their state after biometric authentication on electronic Point Of Sale (ePOS). Some of its most salient features are:

• It has a standard format

• It contains a unique 10 digit code for each holder

• It is issued in a bilingual format, one language being the local one and the other being either Hindi Or English

• Old ration cards remain valid

However there are a few flaws in this system. Firstly, it is functional only in the 17 states that have implemented it and further implementation depends on the state's readiness. Secondly, it cannot be used by someone unless their ration card is linked to their Aadhaar card. Moreover, some stores are providing free rations to the poor without ration cards and ration shops are apprehensive in using the machinery, fearing a virus infection. Finally, ePOS must be provided by state, which may hinder it's feasibility.

Written by: Katyayani Nath