Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob has said that Smart Cards would be issued to ration card holders in the state.
An offline biometric system would be introduced to ensure that the card could be used even at times of power disruption, he said.
Civil Supplies Department Director S Jagannathan said the entire PDS would be computerised. Movement of goods from the starting point to the end point could be monitored through the system.
A discussion with all the departments concerned and officials regarding the new plan would be held in Thiruvananthapuram this month-end.
An assessment of how the project is faring in other states would also be done and if found feasible, it would be implemented in the state, he said.
Initially, the project would be part of the RSBY card, which provides a health card to those living below the poverty line. An estimated 25 lakh BPL people have received RSBY smart cards in Kerala and they would be the first to get the benefit.
Another 54 lakh ration card holders would get their cards in a phased manner. According to Jagannathan, the department would take 18 months to complete the procedure for issuing the smart cards.
The database is already with the Civil Supplies Department and the enrolment is expected to begin by January 15, he said.