The role of Public Distribution System (PDS) towards ensuring food security in the country cannot be denied. Ration card has helped a large section of the country in getting relief during the Corona pandemic.
The role of Public Distribution System (PDS) towards ensuring food security in the country cannot be denied. Ration card has helped a large section of the country in getting relief during the Corona pandemic. However, many times the difficulties faced in the matter of making new ration cards and updating the information have drawn the attention of the people. Now the government has taken a special initiative to overcome these difficulties.
23.64 crore ration card holders will be easy to get the benefit of PDS
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, in association with the Ministry of Electronics and IT, has made preparations to provide many services related to ration card at Public Service Centers (CSCs) across the country. Under the new initiative, all the services related to the ration card, including applying for a new card and updating the information, will now be available at CSC as well. The availability of these services at more than 3.7 lakh centers across the country will benefit 23.64 crore ration card holders.
Food and Public Distribution Department ties up with CSC e-Governance Services
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has tied up with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited to speed up the process of making ration cards and strengthen the Public Distribution System in semi-urban and rural areas. CSC e-Governance Services was formed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSC for the new arrangement.
Dinesh Tyagi, Managing Director, CSC e-Governance said, “After this partnership with the Department of Food and Public Distribution, our CSC Operators (VLEs) in villages will reach out to people who do not have ration cards. VLEs will help in getting ration cards and ensuring their access to the public distribution system.
Availability of online services of CSC will increase
The scope of availability of online services from CSC will also be increased. These services include services such as PM welfare schemes, education and skill development courses, financial services, healthcare and utility bill payments. There is a preparation to make these online services available at various fair price shops. For this, CSC will train the dealers of Fair Price Shop and they will be provided with these services accordingly.
