The state government on Monday decided to introduce bio-metric system in the distribution of rice and other essential commodities through fair price shops.
This will help the government weed out bogus card-holders. The system will be introduced on a pilot basis in 10 districts of the state.
For this, the government will set up point of sale (PoS) devices at 100 fair price shops in each of the 10 districts. They are: Chittoor, Kadapa, East Godavari, Guntur, Krishna, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Karimnagar and Mahbubnagar.
Distribution of essential commodities will be made only after the authentication of the bio-metrics of the members of the family.
It may be recalled that the state government had decided to supply rice in packets and also introduce electronic weighing machines in some districts on a pilot basis.
Now, the new system will ensure that genuine cardholders get the right entitlement at correct prices and quantities. After examining the system in the 10 districts, it will be extended to other areas.