Bihar government has formulated a plan to install machines on the lines of bank ATMs from which beneficiaries would be able to draw their share of foodgrains using a smart card.
The “Point of Sale” machine would be installed in all the PDS outlets in the state in phases, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shyam Rajak told PTI today.
Biometric card would be prepared for all beneficiaries. The chip inside the smart ration card would contain details of family of not more than four members, he said adding that any of the four members would be able to draw foodgrains from the machine.
The Point of Sale machine will match finger prints of beneficiaries and release foodgrains earmarked to the family, the minister said.
As a pilot project, the machine would be installed in two-three panchayats of any district this month, the minister said adding all PDS outlets would have this machine by April 2016.
There are over 45,000 Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets in Bihar and 8.71 crore beneficiaries.