In another important development in Public Distribution System (PDS), ration cards are going to be replaced by smart cards in Haryana. This is in a bid to increase transparency in PDS and Haryana will become the first state in the country to have this kind of facility for the citizens. Initially, it would be started in four blocks of Ambala, Sonipat, Sirsa and Gharaunda on pilot basis. The work to prepare smart cards will begin from May 27.
A Haryana government official informed that unique identification card (UIC) of the people in all age groups would also be prepared alongwith smart cards and the smart cards would eventually be linked with UIC.
“The Centre has sanctioned Rs 137.63 crore for the implementation of first phase of this programme in Haryana. Before the commencement of this work, the officers or officials engaged in process would be imparted training. Smart cards of more than 54 lakh families would be prepared in the state. The training programme had already been chalked out by the Department, said Haryana Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Food and Supplies Department, Navraj Sandhu in a statement.
Committees at district and village level would be formed to monitor the process of preparing UIC adding that smart card making camps would be organised in schools at village level and Nambardars and Sarpanches of the villages would be roped in this process. Proper publicity would be made by visiting door-to-door in villages on the prescribed time and date so that no family could remain uncovered.
