With government organisations imbibing the digital-first approach under the Digital India program, Department of Food & Public Distribution said that it has weeded out 4.39 crore bogus ration cards since 2013.
The department said that the detection of ineligible ration cards was enabled by the combination of technology interventions that it had taken over the years including implementation of the targeted public distribution system (TPDS), digitization of beneficiaries databases and seeding of Aadhaar numbers.
The department said that the digital intervention has also streamline optimal utilisation of the quota of National Food and Security Act (NFSA) coverage as it is being regularly utilised by concerned state governments.
The NFSA provides coverage for 81.35 crore persons to receive highly subsidised food grains through TPDS, which is nearly two-thirds of the country’s population as per the Census of 2011.
Presently, more than 80 crore persons in the country are receiving foodgrains (Rice, Wheat and Coarse grains) at a subsidised rate of Rs. 3, 2 and 1 per Kg on a monthly basis.
