The role of the Public Distribution System (PDS) towards ensuring food security in India cannot be denied. Ration card has helped a large section of the country during the Corona pandemic.
However, many difficulties were faced while making new ration cards or updating information in them. Now, the government took a special initiative to overcome these difficulties.
23.64 Crore Ration Card Holders will get Benefit of PDS
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, in association with the Ministry of Electronics & IT, has made the preparations to provide a number of services related to the ration card at Public Service Centers (CSCs) across the country.
This new initiative of the government includes the services related to ration cards, applying for a new card & updating information in it. The services will be available at the CSC as well. The availability of these services at more than 3.7 lakh centers across the country will benefit 23.64 crores of ration cardholders.
Food & Public Distribution Department ties up with CSC e-Governance Services
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs tied up with the CSC e-Governance Service India Limited to speed up the process of making ration cards & strengthening the Public Distribution System in semi-urban & rural areas.
The CSC e-Governance Services was formed by the Ministry of Electronics & IT as Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The Department of Food & Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSC for the new arrangement.
Dinesh Tyagi, the Managing Director at CSC e-Governance said that “After this partnership with the Department of Food & Public Distribution, our CSC Operators in the village will reach to the people, who do not have ration cards. VLEs will help in getting the ration cards & ensuring their access to the public distribution system.
Availability of Online Services of CSC will Increase
The scope of online services available from the CSC will also increase. These services include the services such as skills development courses, PM welfare schemes, education, healthcare, financial services & utility bill payments.
There is a preparation to make these online services available at the various fair price shops. The CSC will train the dealers of Fair Price Shop & they will be provided with these services accordingly.
