TAWANG, 11 Aug: In a step towards strengthening transparency, accuracy and effective delivery of food security benefits, a comprehensive fair price shop (FPS)-wise review of the eKYC status of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries in Tawang district was conducted here on Tuesday.
The review meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner (i/c) Rinchin Leta, and was attended by FPS dealers from across the district.
The exercise focused on identifying and appropriately resolving cases of pending, failed or incomplete eKYC, while ensuring that genuine and eligible beneficiaries are not deprived of their rightful food security entitlements.
During the review, detailed deliberations were held on various categories of beneficiaries requiring verification and necessary action, including death cases (for deletion from beneficiary records after due verification); non-existent, ghost and duplicate entries (for verification and subsequent deletion wherever applicable); minors studying in residential schools without access to mobile phones/ePoS facilities to be provided exemption from deletion for a limited period; shifted/transferred beneficiaries, involving beneficiaries who have moved to another circle, district or state; non-resident Indians residing outside India for deletion, as applicable; and biometric/Aadhaar-related issues and persons with disabilities, including beneficiaries unable to complete biometric authentication due to old age, disability, minor status or Aadhaar-related issues, with exemption from deletion for a limited period as applicable; non-responsive beneficiaries who have not completed eKYC despite adequate information and availability of facilities through ePoS devices and the Mera eKYC mobile app for necessary action as per norms.
During the meeting, SIFCS Sange Tsering delivered a presentation on the 'Mera Ration Card' and 'Mera eKYC' mobile apps, besides briefing the participants on updates and functionalities available through ePoS devices.
He further informed that the food & civil supplies office here is initiating the establishment of NFSA beneficiary service facilitation centres at three FPSs- one each in the three subdivisions of the district initially on a trial basis. These centres are envisaged to facilitate services relating to online addition/deletion of beneficiaries through smart PDS and address grievances received from FPS dealers and beneficiaries.
Based on their effectiveness, the initiative may subsequently be extended to other FPSs across the district. The dealers of these three selected FPSs will be trained separately for the purpose.
All FPS dealers actively participated in the interactive session and placed their field-level grievances, operational challenges and gaps before the authorities for appropriate solutions. (DIPRO)
