Agartala: Tripura has begun issuing PVC ration cards to beneficiaries of the public distribution system (PDS), replacing the old paper books.
Of the 9.91 lakh family ration cards, the Food and Civil Supplies Department will distribute 4.87 lakh PVC documents in the first phase.
“As part of the modernisation plan, we have already started the distribution of PVC ration cards, replacing the old paper-made documents. In the first phase, we have prepared 4.87 lakh PVC ration cards, and these will be given to the respective cardholders,” Food and Civil Supplies Director Sumit Lodh told a news agency.
He said the remaining cards will be given out in a phased manner after cardholders complete their e-KYC.
According to Lodh, the PVC cards have durability with little chance of getting dirty or damaged, even during the monsoon.
For the convenience of consumers, the department plans to convert 600 of its 2,072 government fair price shops into model outlets.
“We have already provided Rs 5,000 to each ration dealer to transform their shops into model outlets, catering to the basic needs of the consumers. The decision has been taken keeping in mind the convenience of ration cardholders”, he said.
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Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury stated on Thursday that the department does not compromise on the quality of food items. This assertion was made in response to public outrage over the distribution of poor-quality pulses through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
