Biometric e-pass system pays off

Mahbubnagar: The implementation of new e-pass system for the distribution of kerosene to the 9.20 lakh Ahara Bhadrata card households having no cylinder has achieved good results as it has stopped the corruption and pilferage of kerosene supplies and saved more than Rs 88.20 lakh. It is estimated that before implementation of e-pass about 2.75 lakh litres of kerosene used be smuggled by corrupt officials.

The e-pass system was implemented from January month this year in Mahbubnagar district. Though there were few hiccups observed during its initial implementation in January and February, the concerned authorities rectified it and started implementing the system perfectly and in just two months of March and April, the authorities have saved 2.75 lakh litres of kerosene from getting pilfered and helped the government earn Rs 88.20 lakh in the last four months.

"Earlier, the PDS dealers use to sell the kerosene in black market as no beneficiary used to take the 1 litre subsidised kerosene provided to them on their ration cards. Now with the implementation of e-pass system, the real beneficiary has to register his biometric figure print to get the kerosene.

With this, it has brought a lot of transparency in the PDS distribution system and government has saved kerosene from being sold to black markets by the dealers," said a concerned official responsible for the implementation of e-Pass system.