VIJAYAWADA: Minister for Civil Supplies Nadendla Manohar announced that the State will begin distributing 1.45 crore free smart ration cards to households starting August 25, leveraging advanced technology to ensure transparency and welfare delivery.
Addressing the media on Friday, he highlighted the government’s commitment to serving the common man with integrity, as emphasized by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
The smart ration cards will be distributed in four phases through local ration shops, with the assistance of village and ward secretariats. The initiative includes issuing 6,71,000 new ration cards, with 16,67,032 applications already approved.
The Minister noted that the application process for new cards remains ongoing via an online portal, ensuring continuous accessibility.
He stated that ration distribution efficiency has risen to 93%, with improved service delivery. To curb the illegal transportation of PDS rice, technology-driven measures are being implemented.
The smart cards, a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, feature the State emblem, family details, a QR code for security, and a toll-free number (1967) for grievances.
The cards will be securely transported in boxes with QR codes from the State to districts, mandals, and ration shops, ensuring traceability.
The distribution will commence in nine districts like—Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, NTR, Tirupati, Nellore, Srikakulam, East Godavari, West Godavari, and Krishna—followed by four districts (Chittoor, Kakinada, Guntur, Eluru) on August 30, five districts (Anantapur, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam, Konaseema, Anakapalle) on September 6, and eight districts (Bapatla, Palnadu, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, Sri Satya Sai, Kurnool, Nandyal, Prakasam) on September 15.
Nadendla revealed that door delivery of ration is already being provided to 16,73,000 elderly (above 65 years) and differently-abled beneficiaries monthly.
A dedicated app and dashboard have been set up at the village/ward level to monitor distribution and access card details. Migrants must collect their smart cards from their registered ration shops, with portability enabled for ration access anywhere in the state.
He emphasised that the two-month-long preparation for smart card distribution ensures no delays, with staff trained for efficient execution.
The initiative aims to reach even the last-mile beneficiary, aligning with the State’s welfare goals.