Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 12.98 lakh smart ration cards have been distributed in Kerala, nearly four months after the launch of the initiative. This accounts for about 14% of the 92 lakh ration card holders in the state.
It was from November 2, 2021 that the Civil Supplies Department started distributing the ATM card-model PVC cards for ration card holders. The front side of the smart card will have details such as the name of the ration card holder, bar code and photograph. The details such as the income of the ration card holder, ration shop number, whether the house is electrified or whether the house has LPG connection will be given on the back of the smart card.
The smart card will be available in all the five colours in which the existing ration cards are categorised.
According to State Food and Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil, only those who want to avail themselves of the e-ration card will have to apply for a smart card.
The application for the card can be uploaded through Akshaya Centre/Citizen login. At any time, requests can be given for getting a new ration card, correcting mistakes in the old card and making omissions in the existing card.
In another development, the Civil Supplies Department dropped the practice of charging Rs 50 as service charge for ration card-related online services.
