Union Minister dons fair price shop dealer’s role

Tirupati: Union Minister for Law and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad donned the role of a ration shop dealer (fair price shop) and verified the details of white ration card holders before taking their thumb impression here on Saturday to study the Aadhaar-enabled Public Distribution System (AePDS).

Ravi Shankar Prasad after an official meeting with officials inspected the fair price shop No 37 in Kupuchandrapeta village under Tirupati rural mandal where he donned the role of a fair price shop dealer to see the functioning of e-PoS (electronic Point of Sale).

The Minister first verified the ration card of four beneficiaries before taking their finger print on the e-PoS in the shop for distribution of rice and other essentials including sugar.

He later interacted with the select women beneficiaries and also spoke to the dealer Sujatha about the Aadhaar-enabled PDS. He asked the dealer whether she is properly distributing the essential commodities without any complaint to the beneficiaries.

They, all in one voice, told the Minister that in the beginning they felt some difficulties with the new system but now they are happy with it as it is smooth and simple.

The civil supplies officials led by Joint Collector Girisha, explained the Minister about the e-PoS and how it helped to remove bogus ration card holders. The Minister later disbursed cash to the MNREGS beneficiaries in the village before planting a sapling in the government school in the village.

Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, assistant supply officer Seshachalam, deputy tahasildar Surendra and others were
present.