Govt facing problems in e-distribution of rations

Srinagar, Mar 16: The government is facing problems while training the staff for installing the Point of Sale Machines (PoS) in the state for smooth distribution of rations.
The government had earlier directed the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) department to complete 100% installation of PoS devices in 20 districts of the state by January 30, to make 6,000 fair price shops in these districts fully functional.
Now, the deadline has been extended till March 31.
Minister for FCS&CA, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, said the PoS devices will be installed in the state except at Baramulla, Kargil, and Leh.
“We are facing technical issues there. We are training the staff soon,” he said.
“We need to train the staff for complete implementation of ePDS in the state. We are on the job. We have set the deadline and by the end of March, we will implement it,” Zulfkar said.
Underlining the importance of ePDS, the minister said the government has initiated the process of ePDS to ensure digitisation of public distribution system to make it more transparent, accountable and pilferage proof.
Nisar Wani, Director FCS&CA Kashmir, said, “70 per cent of the people in Kashmir still do not have access of Aadhaar cards.”
“For installing ePDS in Kashmir, training the staff is very important. But we don’t have qualified and trained staff like storekeepers, workers and other dealers on the ground level. We also face resistance from the people as they find this electronic system uncomfortable.”
He said the department cannot fully install the ePDS in different ration stores.
“We have to keep in mind the situation of Kashmir. The process entirely depends on the internet system. If internet cannot work for some time, people will not be given rations. So, we have to keep both online and offline options available to the people,” Wani said.
Mohammad Aslam, Deputy Director, FCS&CA Kashmir, said the PoS machines have been installed in the Valley.
“PoS machines have been installed in the state barring three districts. These machines will be functional soon,” he said.
The Public Distribution System (PDS) facilitates the supply of food grains and distribution of essential commodities to a large number of poor people through a network of Fair Price Shops at a subsidized price on a recurring basis.