Jagran Correspondent | Bhatgaon: The Chhattisgarh government has implemented strict guidelines for the distribution of food grains under the Public Distribution System (PDS). The new mandate says that all eligible beneficiaries must visit the shop and undergo biometric verification, providing a thumb impression to claim their monthly rations. The move has been initiated to ensure transparency, eliminate duplicate beneficiaries, and prevent government-subsidised supplies from entering the black market.
What Does The Latest Directives Say?
Authiorities have decided to make the ration distribution system fully biometric-based across all parts of the state, including Sarangarh-Bilaigarh. The Food Department and the state government have issued clear instructions to all fair-price shop operators, mandating that ration distribution must take place only after verifying the beneficiary's thumb or finger impression using an e-POS machine.
As per the latest directives, a maximum of only 5 per cent of the total ration distribution at any ration shop will now be carried out via OTP. If a ration shop operator is found distributing rations to beneficiaries via OTP beyond this prescribed 5 per cent limit, it will be deemed an instance of tampering with the distribution system, and strict action against the concerned operator is inevitable. The department is preparing to take punitive measures, such as the suspension or cancellation of the shop's licence—against such operators.
Earlier, the government had introduced an OTP facility for citizens unable to visit the shop due to serious illness, old age, physical disability, or emergencies. However, after a period of time, this concession was misused and adopted on a large scale by shopkeepers, raising concerns about the black marketing of rations. To prevent this, the state government has imposed partial restrictions on the practice.