Nikhil Deshmukh | TNN | May 30, 2016, 06.23 AM IST
Kolhapur: The state government has sanctioned Rs 69 crore for end-to-end computerisation of public distribution system, once infamous for massive scale of corruption, diversion of foodgrain and kerosene.
The government has decided to introduce biometric identity verification system at the fair price shops to avoid foodgrain disbursement to fake beneficiaries. Complete computerisation at godowns and distributors will keep a check on diversion of transporting vehicles. The state is investing Rs 69 crore in the first phase with 50% financial support from the Union government.
In an order issued last week, the state government has stated that most of the expenditure would be for computerisation, linking of database and bringing flexibility in access to the database so that it can be used for deriving various indicators.
The phase-I covers standardization of lifting of foodgrain from the warehouses of Food Corporation of India, tracking its shifting to local state-owned godowns, computerisation of entire work and handing over computerised ration cards to the beneficiaries from economically weaker sections. The phase-II includes complete computerisation of fair price shops, biometric system to the beneficiaries covered under Food Security Act, 2013 and foodgrain distribution.