Coupon system for ration cards in city by September 1

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 29, 2016: It is reported that department of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs is all set to hand over the responsibility of distributing ration coupons to franchisees in Dakshina Kannada district.

The department has already received over 20 applications from private entities in Dakshina Kannada to start distribution of coupons to ration card holders, said minister U T Khader.   The department will launch coupon system for public distribution system (PDS) in urban areas of the city from September 1. Meanwhile, the same will be introduced for card holders in all taluk headquarters in the district from October 1.

Only genuine ration card holders will be able to get foodgrains and cooking oil after the introduction of coupon system, which will later be made IVRS based, Khader said.

The commission for selected franchisees has been increased to Rs 5 per coupon from Rs 3, he said.  "The coupon system introduced on a pilot basis last month to weed out bogus ration cards and also to streamline the PDS has been successful with over 12 lakh ration card holders using the facility. Moreover, no bogus card holders could avail food grains and cooking oil on subsidized rate through PDS with the introduction of the system. Hence, the system will be gradually introduced throughout the state," Khader said.
The department has plans to sell coconut and sunflower oil at subsidized rate through fair price shops. Currently, only palmolein oil is being distributed with a subsidy of Rs 35 - 38 per litre through fair price shops under PDS. The move will also help coconut and sunflower growers, Khader said adding that the sale of coconut and sunflower oil through fair price shops will commence within two months.