Sources said that under the Public Distribution System (PDS), the government of Karnataka is planning to set up rice-dispensing machines for ration card holders.
These machines that the government is calling as ‘Rice ATM’, would be installed at different places across the state.
K Gopalaiah, Karnataka Minister for Food and Civil Supplies said that the ‘Rice ATMs’ will be set up to ensure 24X7 rice availability to people who have ration cards. Also, they will not have to wait in long queues in front of the ration shops.
It is important to mention that the idea of installing Rice ATM’s came from Indonesia and Vietnam where authorities have set up rice-dispensing machines to give free rice to their citizens during the Coronavirus lockdown.
Speaking to Indianexpress, the minister said, “The department will set up 2 rice ATMs in Karnataka to check the feasibility of the initiative and if the project is a success the same will be extended across the state.”
He further said that Rice ATMs will be helpful to people Below Poverty Line, who have to work during the day and don’t get time to go to the PDS centre during working hours. With this new system, they can also avoid long lines in front of government-run ration shops.
The minister explained “According to the initial project report, rice-dispensing machines will come in various sizes from 100 to 500 kg capacity. The person who needs rice must insert a coin in the machine & a certain quantity of rice will be dispensed”.
In order to make Rice ATM’s convenient for people, the state government is also planning to come up with a smart card or a biometric system like bank ATMs.
Karnataka government had earlier installed drinking water ATMs across the state. As per details, there are more than 1,800 water dispensing ATMs in Karnataka.
