Biometric identification system to be implemented in 35,000 Fair Price shops across Tamil Nadu in the first phase - Food Minister R Chakarapani

“Chief Minister M.K.Stalin will inaugurate the distribution of Pongal gift hampers in Chennai on 9th. On the same day, the scheme will be operational in all the districts across Tamil Nadu. Special arrangements have also been made to get it on the 14th” the Minister said.


Coimbatore: Biometric identification to be implemented in 35,000 PDS shops across the state said Food Minister R Chakarapani.



Minister Chakrapani, who conducted a surprise inspection at a ration shop in the Ramanathapuram area said Pongal gift hampers with a full sugarcane will be distributed from January 9.



Speaking to reporters after the inspection, the Minister said “Chief Minister M K Stalin has ordered that Rs 1,000 in cash, one kg of raw rice, one kg of sugar and one whole sugarcane be distributed to ration card holders in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan Tamils living in Sri Lankan refugee camps in the state”

“Accordingly, steps have been taken to distribute Pongal special gift hampers from the 9th to the 12th of this month,” the minister said

“ Chief Minister M.K.Stalin will inaugurate the distribution in Chennai on the 9th. On the same day, the scheme will be operational in all the districts across Tamil Nadu. Special arrangements have also been made to get it on the 14th” the Minister said

“There are 11 lakh and 255 ration card holders in Coimbatore district alone and a total of 1,404 fair price shops. All 100 per cent Pongal gift packages have arrived in the Coimbatore district. 90 per cent of the sugarcane has come for distribution” he said.

“Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin is fulfilling all the promises made in the election manifesto The farmers' demand to make coconut oil available at the fair price shops will be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister and action will be taken” the Minister noted.

“ PMK founder Ramadoss has said that 5 feet of sugarcane should be supplied. In the last AIADMK regime, three pieces of sugarcane was only distributed. But now a full cane is to be supplied” he quipped.

“In order to remove the various difficulties in placing fingerprints in fair price shops, steps have been taken to introduce biometric identification system, under which the iris of the eye would be screened to establish the identity of the cardholder,” the minister said and added, “In the first phase, the system would be introduced in 35,000 shops on a pilot basis and it will be extended further across Tamil Nadu”.

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