PANAJI
The distribution of foodgrain ration quotas for the current month has been extended by the Civil Supplies department until April 26, after it was disrupted with fingerprint authentication under the Aadhaar-enabled Public Distribution System (AePDS) temporarily disabled due to system upgrades mandated by UIDAI.
Officials said the ration is currently being handed out using iris scanning and OTP verification, but limited resources have slowed the process, leading to long queues and repeated visits by cardholders.
The extension follows a troubled first fortnight of April, when ration distribution across several regions, including Bardez and Salcete, was severely disrupted. Many fair price shops had not received their monthly supply, leaving thousands of families dependent on it uncertain about foodgrain availability.
Officials later confirmed the delay was linked to payment issues, which have since been resolved.
Civil supplies data showed that by mid-April, only 27.7 per cent of transactions had been completed, a massive shortfall indicating the scale of disruption and the dependence on biometric systems. Beneficiaries complained of repeated trips to fair price shops, while operators reported crowds and mounting frustration.
The Directorate of Civil Supplies said the extension was necessary to ensure all cardholders receive their April quota. Supplies are now being transported to shops, but officials admit the backup systems are slower and less efficient.
“We are using iris and OTP methods, but these take more time. The extension will help us cover all beneficiaries,” a senior official said.
Civil society groups have raised concerns about the dependence on biometric authentication and are demanding stronger backup mechanisms to prevent future disruption of this essential service.
Officials, however, said with the extension, ration distribution is expected to normalise by April 26.
