CHENNAI: Registering for a ‘smart PDS card’ has been a struggle for many as they are not as tech-savvy as the government is. Turning to Internet cafes for help, the public ends up shelling out money to get a card that only gives access to basic commodities.
To enrol for the smart PDS card, one needs to visit the website of the civil supplies corporation (tnpds.gov.in) and fill up the required columns in the application. To complete the application, one must also upload a scanned proof of residence and a photograph that will eventually be printed on the smart card.
“I don’t know how to use a computer. We never had computers in our village. My husband’s friend took us to a nearby ‘computer shop’ and they charged us `50,” said Dharani R, a resident of CIT Nagar, before adding that she was charged separately for scanning the documents.
A resident of Villivakam who didn’t want to be named said he tried to take a photo of his passport-size picture to upload, but the photo was rejected. “I took a new photo and asked them to send me the digital version,” he said, before adding that he regretted having to pay extra for the new photos.
“The smart PDS card can be used by anyone carrying it. It is not like I will get supplies only if I swipe it or carry it. I don’t see why I have to pay extra and go through this procedure when this is nothing but a plastic version of the old ration card.”
A senior official from the Civil Supplies Corporation, however, said people can always seek required help at regional civil supplies offices if they do not know how to use computers.
“They can seek help from e-seva centres for a minimum cost,” the official added saying that the department cannot be held responsible for those who approach private internet centres.