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To ensure elimination of bogus ration cards, the central government is pushing states to go for biometric ones, taking the help of unique identification (UID) numbers. States have been asked to take a lead in distributing biometric ration cards, as identification of beneficiaries for issuing ration cards is a state subject. States like Gujarat, Haryana and Maharashtra have already launched pilot projects to make biometric ration cards. A senior food ministry official said a biometric ration card would be different from a regular one. It would have barcoded details of the beneficiary, with a picture of the head of the family. The card can be read at any ration shop through a machine that will then be matched with the fingerprint details of the beneficiary to eliminate duplication or misuse.

The Dahod district administration has given 10 days notice to all Fair Price Shop (FPS) owners to submit the details of 2.5 lakh biometric ration card holders. This comes after a scam was unearthed in the Public Distribution System in Panchmahals district, where 1.1 lakh bogus ration cards were found during a scrutiny recently. FPS owners have been increasingly making fake cards to get subsidised essential food supplies, according to District Supply Office.