TNN | Jan 9, 2016, 03.19 PM IST
Jamshedpur: Parliamentary affairs and food supply minister Saryu Rai on Friday said the ongoing Aadhaar-ration card linking process will be complete by mid-March. He was addressing a press meet at Circuit House. So far, around 60 lakh residents' ration cards have been linked to their Aadhaar cards.
Rai said the state food and public distribution department has convened a meeting in Ranchi on January 12 to dicuss the issues related to the implementation of the National Food Safety Act (NFSA).
"Food and public distribution officials, FSA activists, PDS experts and other stakeholders have been invited to the meeting to come up with a uniform approach to plug the loopholes for the effective and smooth implementation of FSA in the state," said Rai. He added that at least 51 lakh applications have been received for new ration cards, with the department expecting more applications by January 31 - the deadline for submission of applications.
Rai said the state will seek the cooperation of assembly committees in addressing the shortcomings related to FSA implementation in districts.
"Currently, there are 21 state assembly committees (constituted for monitoring public welfare schemes and projects). Their assistance will be sought for ensuring the redressal of issues hindering FSA implementation in Jharkhand," said Rai, adding that technology can check corruption in the system.
"I have undertaken a long-term task of modernizing and upgrading system to ensure transparency," said Rai.
"Around 80% of the state's population (about 3.5 crore) have been covered under FSA," Of the remaining 20%, 10% are unlikely to avail ration from PDS. This leaves out 10% of people. I hope my proposal is considered," Rai said.