Chandigarh, August 5:
The e-KYC process is gathering momentum with each passing day and till now the process has been completed with regard to 1,27, 84000 (1.27 Crore) beneficiaries. The Districts of Mansa, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala are the top 3 places respectively in this regard.
In a review meeting held here today at the Anaj Bhawan, the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak was apprised by the senior officers of the department about the latest position concerning the e-KYC process.
It is noteworthy that e-KYC is a digital method to verify the identity and address of the beneficiary primarily using the Aadhaar Card Number and the Biometrics for authentication. The wheat to eligible beneficiaries is distributed under Public Distribution System (PDS) in 2 categories. Under Antyodaya Ann Yojna (AAY), 35 Kg of Wheat is given on per family and per month basis while under the Priority Households (PHH) category, 5 Kg Wheat on per person per month basis is provided free of cost under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
Regarding the status of tarpaulins in connection with preparations for the upcoming Paddy procurement season 2025-26, it was brought to the notice of the Minister that the PUNGRAIN, which is the Nodal Agency for procurement of tarpaulins, has floated an e-tender for purchase of 47500 LDPE polythene tarpaulins on behalf of all the State Procurement Agencies. Besides, the department already has 95000 tarpaulins from previous year.
The Minister also reviewed the progress of construction of 46 LMT covered godowns allocated by Government of India. He directed the department to impress upon the bidder to complete the construction of covered godowns at 3.75 Lakh MT for which Letters of Award have been already issued and also directed to complete the formalities of awarding the covered godowns of 9.55 LMT capacity at the earliest. Further, he also instructed the department to complete the tendering of covered godowns of remaining 32.70 LMT capacity to ensure the maximum space is available for storage of rice during the ensuing paddy procurement season 2025-26.
Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rahul Tiwari, Director Varinder Kumar Sharma, Additional Secretary PUNGRAIN Kamal Kumar Garg and Additional Director Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar along with GM (Finance) Sarvesh Kumar Sharma.
