THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major move to streamline the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Kerala, the State Food and Civil Supplies Department is preparing to roll out 24/7 automated ‘Annapurti Grain ATMs’. The initiative will initially be launched as a pilot project in Thiruvananthapuram district before being scaled up across other districts in the state. Implemented in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the automated system will allow beneficiaries to collect their allocated food grains at any time of the day.
Functioning similarly to a conventional banking ATM, the automated dispensing unit requires beneficiaries to enter their ration card or Aadhaar number, followed by biometric fingerprint authentication to receive their grain quota. The project aims to eliminate long queues at fair price shops, ensure round-the-clock accessibility, and maintain complete transparency in grain distribution.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com