16 February,2011 07:53 AM IST | | Parth Satam
Government bodies in the state seem to be going hi-tech all the way, introducing new and innovative technologies to streamline daily functioning and prevent malpractices. One such system is being introduced by the Collector's office to monitor the functioning of ration shops, which are infamous for malpractices.
The system involves digitising the records and daily working of ration outlets by way of a central server which will keep a tab on the amount of foodstuff sold, the name and address of the person availing of the facility and, most importantly, keeping statistical details and identifying trends in the sale of essential commodities.
If the system is successful, the public will benefit since people will get a professional and more reliable service and not get duped, say officials in the District Collectorate.
"The fringe benefit of the system is that malpractices can also be monitored with the system since real time and live data of daily activity in a rationing shop can be accessed by senior officials through a central server," District Supply Officer Ravindra Kulkarni said.
The current system of maintaining records of ration card holders involves paperwork, but this Kulkarni said can be done away with since the system will require computerisation of data.u00a0
Also, ration cards will now have biometric information about the card holder stored in them. Thumbprints of four to five members of a family will be taken and digitally stored on a card and the required amount of foodgrain given.
The Science and Technology Park, an institute of the University of Pune, is implementing the project, whihc will cover all the ration shops in the city and the 9.l lakh ration card holders.
