The main objective of the “Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)” scheme is to introduce nation-wide portability of ration cards under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) through ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ plan with an objective to enable migrant beneficiaries to lift their entitled quota of foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country by using their existing/same ration card after biometric/Aadhaar authentication on electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) device. Most of the States/UTs have shown their willingness to implement this facility and have shared their ration cards data under NFSA with the Central Repository of ration cards/beneficiaries’ setup by this Department. Presently, this facility is enabled in 26 States/UTs covering about 65 Cr. beneficiaries, nearly 80% of total NFSA population in the country.
Further, it is targeted achieve the integration of all States/UTs by 31.03.2021; however integration of remaining 10 States/UTs, namely – A&N Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Chandigarh and Puducherry depends on their readiness to implement the same in terms of installation of ePoS devices at FPSs, enablement of biometric/Aadhaar authentication of beneficiaries and other technical aspects.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri DanveRaosahebDadarao in Rajya Sabha today.
*****
APS/SG/MS
