Haryana to replace ration cards with smart cards

In a bid to streamline Public Distribution System in the state, Haryana government has decided to replace ration card with the smart cards

All ration card holders will be issued smart cards, which would carry the photographs of family members and other details.

“Smart card preparation project has already been started in the state. Central government is assisting this project. The task of preparing smart cards to streamline PDS has been given to different institutions in the state but final cards will be made by TCS (Tata Consultancy Services),”

The project of preparing smart cards of all the persons in the entire state would be got completed by June 2013.

“Ration card was an important document even for those who do not get ration (grocery) from the subsidized shops. The beneficiaries of Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) get ration at cheaper rates under various schemes of the government but for the Above Poverty Line (APL) people it serves as a proof of residence. Now the smart cards will replace the traditional ration cards.

TCS Company, which is the authorised agency for documentation and collection of biometric finger prints of all the applicants, would assist the government in making smart cards.