Tamil Nadu yet to decide on Centre’s order on linking PDS-Aadhaar

Officials said that the order which was issued a few days ago was seen only in the media but had not reached the civil supplies Commissionerate yet. The order had also stated that June 30 would be the last date for inclusion of Aadhar details. 

The present political crisis in the state is cited as one of reasons for the delay. “The food secretary is instructed by the Food Minister R Kamaraj on such issues after consultations with the Chief Minister. But as Kamaraj and the state’s caretaker Chief Minister O Paneerselvam are in different camps, there has been no interaction on this issue,” officials added. However, officials expect that the political crisis will come to an end before June 30. 

But what irks officials is the slow pace of Aadhar inclusion, especially in Chennai which accounts for only 62 per cent while the State’s average is at 72 per cent. The backward Perambalur district still ranks first in Aadhar input provision with more than 92 per cent. The state government’s PDS website reveals that 7.13 crore consumers benefit through 1.94 crore ration cards. Due to the central government’s present order, the state government’s plans to release smart PDS cards by April 1 may be pushed further. 

Though officials state that providing Aadhaar details is a continuous exercise, former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s Rs 320 crore project of issuing smart cards has already been delayed twice.