Chennai, July 14:
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday launched the statewide distribution of 73,000 new smart ration cards, inaugurating the drive from Perambur and assuring faster delivery of approved applications across Tamil Nadu.
The Chief Minister handed over smart ration cards to beneficiaries and distributed essential commodities to select families before inspecting a fair price shop and reviewing its operations with officials.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Venkataramanan said all approved ration cards would be distributed across the State within the next two weeks. “District administrations have been instructed to complete the distribution without delay,” he told reporters.
On pending applications, the minister said field verification would be expedited to ensure quicker processing. He added that the government is examining the introduction of iris and facial authentication, alongside fingerprint verification, for the distribution of ration commodities.
Venkataramanan noted that the Thayumanavar scheme is already enabling doorstep delivery of essential commodities to beneficiaries above 70 years and said the government plans to gradually expand the initiative to more households.
He also said that the quality of commodities supplied through the Public Distribution System is under review. “Within a month, the quality of rice and essential items will improve. Regular inspections will continue,” he said.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister after receiving their new smart ration cards.