Biometric-based ration card system in Maharashtra soon

Maharashtra Government will put in place a biometric-based authentication system in the next four months to weed out bogus ration card holders and curb leakages of foodgrains, the Legislative Council was informed on Wednesday.

The biometric system will save about 30 per cent of the foodgrains under PDS currently going to undeserving and bogus ration card holders, Food and Civic Supplies Minister Girish Bapat told the House. 

"We will bring a biometric system for ration card holders in the next four months, which will save around 30 per cent foodgrains going to people who are undeserving or possess bogus ration cards. Modernisation in the public distribution system would bring transparency and avoid duplication. "Also, computerisation of ration cards will automatically scrap bogus cards," he said.

The Minister was replying to a query related to disarray in distribution of ration cards and unavailability of foodgrains. The issue was raised in the Upper House by Jayant Patil (PWP).