Instal biometric devices in two months, fair price shops told

 Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader said on Saturday that directions have been issued to fair price depots to instal biometric devices within the next two months.

Addressing the media, he said the biometric proof would be in addition to the coupon system to distribute rations under the public distribution system. “Any family member in a card holder’s family can give biometric proof to collect rations. Aged and unwell persons may get the coupon numbers on their cellphone to get their quota through their assistants,” he added. The minister said the rule to instal biometric devices would be relaxed in tribal places and remote villages where power supply is a problem.

Food and Civil Supplies department secretary Harsh Gupta said the cost of biometric devices should be borne by shop owners for which bank loans would be available. To meet the cost, the government would give more commission to shop owners, he added.

Gupta said if the card holders are deprived of rations for any reason, they can lodge a complaint by calling *161# and giving the Aadhaar number provided in the rations card. Those who have not got the rations would get ‘food compensation,’ he said.