Mail News Service
Ranchi, Jan 2: Beneficiaries of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Jharkhand, especially those in remote areas, will soon experience relief from long queues and technical glitches as 25,000 PDS dealers are set to receive 4G-enabled electronic point-of-sale (e-POS) machines. These new devices will replace the existing 2G-based e-POS machines, resolving several issues faced by dealers and beneficiaries alike.
The Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs Department has announced plans to initiate tenders for procuring these machines. A proposal for the tender process will be prepared and presented for cabinet approval. Participating agencies must also ensure the provision of maintenance services for the machines.
“Switching to 4G e-POS will greatly improve the efficiency and reliability of food grain distribution, benefitting over 2.84 crore ration card holders across the state,” said a senior official from the department.
Currently, 2.64 crore beneficiaries are covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), while 20.29 lakh green cardholders receive benefits under the Jharkhand State Food Security Act. Ranchi district has the highest number of dealers, emphasizing the need for a robust system.
During the previous government led by Champai Soren, the decision to upgrade to 4G e-POS machines was approved in a cabinet meeting on February 23, 2024. Under the PDS computerization scheme, the cabinet sanctioned Rs. 63.72 crore for the initiative, including Rs. 28.67 crore annually for machine maintenance.
The transition aims to enhance Aadhaar-based biometric authentication and ensure smoother food grain distribution. “The introduction of 4G e-POS machines will significantly reduce delays and enhance service delivery for beneficiaries, especially in remote areas,” an official stated.
With this upgrade, Jharkhand moves closer to modernizing its public distribution system, addressing inefficiencies, and ensuring that food reaches the intended beneficiaries seamlessly.
