New Delhi: Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution congratulated the State Government of Gujarat on becoming the first State in the country for establishing Cashless System for distribution of foodgrains. Shri Paswan lauded the efforts of the State Government for installing Aadhaar Enabled Payment System in 17250 FPSs, much before the targeted date of 31st March, 2017.
The beneficiaries under NFSA will need to carry only Aadhaar cards for getting their foodgrains in Gujarat. This will help in establishing the identity of beneficiaries, help in stopping the leakages of grains at shop level and above all eradicate corruption in the Public Distribution System.
Gujarat State has taken a step ahead by partnering with common service centres, a Special Purpose Vehicle of Ministry of Electronics and IT by offering 30 odd digital services through the FPSs. Now a consumer will also be able to get his Rail, Air and Bus ticket reserved at the FPS itself. A beneficiary can pay his mobile bill, a farmer can deposit crop insurance premium, LIC premium etc. at these centres. A farmer can get the Soil Health Card and registration for Centrally Sponsored Schemes. It is told that the State Government is also trying to make provision for monthly bus travel pass for students and payment of electricity bill through these shops. Besides, one can use the computer and internet facility at the FPS.
It is worth mentioning that Shri Paswan had organized a meeting with State Food Ministers on the 19th January, 2017 for establishing Cashless System in the Public Distribution System across the country. In the said meeting majority of States agreed to provide Cashless arrangements by 31st March, 2017. There are over 81 crore beneficiaries under NFSA and Cashless system in PDS will become the largest cashless system in the country, once it is implemented.
