Smart PDS card comes into force in TN from today

However, providing relief to those who are yet to get their smart cards, the government has said that they can continue to buy from the PDS outlets using their old family card till they get the new smart cards.

The smart card scheme is still in the process of replacing all 1.97 crore ration cards in the state. It is an ambitious initiative of the Tamil Nadu government, taken up at a cost of Rs 330 crore. So far, 1.42 crore smart cards have been distributed by the government. The remaining cards which are yet to be converted are being printed and they will be sent to the respective PDS outlets. The Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department has directed these offices to quickly distribute the smart cards. Chief Minister Edapadi K Palaniswami had earlier said, ‘A new data base has been created by getting the Aadhaar card details of ration card holders. The expenditure for implementing the new scheme is borne by the state government. Card holders can get the smart cards at their respective PDS outlets, once they get an SMS from the authorities.’

Linking of Aadhaar number in ration card has been enabled through mobile app and website. Smart Family Card can also be printed in all ‘Government e-Seva Centres.’ Improved Consumer Online Services like public portals, SMS service and call centres have also been established by the government.

The online applications for smart ration cards were started by the Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department through its official website ‘tnpds.gov.in’, in April this year. The status of the TNPDS smart card can be checked online on the same website by entering the reference number.

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