49% ration cards seeded with Aadhaar

Electronic Public Distribution System

SRINAGAR: Achieving satisfactory implementation of electronic Public Distribution System (ePDS) in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government has seeded almost half of the total beneficiaries ration cards with their respective Aadhaar number.
Ever since the process of Aadhaar seeding with ration cards started in the state, a total of 13,86,705 ration cards have been linked with respective Aadhaar numbers.
Out of the achieved target, 6,02,705 cards are seeded in Jammu division, while in Kashmir the number is 7,84,000 taking the tally of seeding to around 49 percent in the State.
The information was revealed by Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Information Department Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali while convening a meeting to review the electronic Public Distribution System (ePDS) in the State.
In last four weeks, from August 21- September 18, around 74,759 ration cards were seeded with their Aadhaar cards. Out of this 52,423 were seeded in Jammu, while 22,336 were seeded in Kashmir division, the minister was informed.
To expedite the process, the Minister issued the directions to connect the Aadhaar-ration card seeding with the concerned officer's increment. He said the annual increment of only those officers should be released who would achieve their targets within stipulated time frame.
During the meeting, the Minister was also informed under Geographical Information System (GIS) out of 6583 sale centres and Fair Price Shops, the department so far has captured 3815. The instructions were issued to bring the rest under the system by the end of this month.
Taking strong note for failing to address the public grievances within the allocated time, the Minister directed to put an immediate stop on the salaries of assistant directors from north and south Kashmir. He further directed the Director Kashmir to hold an inquiry in this regard and to ensure in future the grievances are resolved well within the stipulated time.
The Minister was also informed that so far in Kashmir division out of 14 lakh ration cards around 12 lakh have been distributed, while 5,40,000 ration cards were distributed in Jammu division. He directed to complete the process by the end of this month.
Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali also directed the technical experts to hold training programmes regarding supply chain management on three consecutive days later this month on 21th, 22nd and 23rd.
The meeting was informed that data entry operators have been recruited across the State, except for Leh, where no one had applied for the job whilst re-verification of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) list is going on and will be completed by the end of next month.