An official said, “Since 2021, new ration card applications from PwDs have been categorised under PHH. With this scheme, all PwDs, whether they hold PHH or NPHH cards, will receive home delivery of their ration items.” The items will be handed over at the beneficiary’s doorstep after biometric authentication by the delivery agent, added the official.

‘Initiative won’t face logistical hurdles due to strong transportation network’

Officials further told TNIE that the state is proceeding cautiously, mindful of the challenges faced by a similar scheme launched in Andhra Pradesh in 2021 and discontinued in May this year.

Currently, Tamil Nadu has 24,800 full-time ration shops and 10,355 part-time shops catering to 2.21 crore ration cardholders.

“Cooperative societies managing ration shops have a robust transportation network for moving goods procured by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation. These societies manage 35,000 ration shops.

Therefore, rolling out door delivery will not face any logistical hurdles,” an official added. Besides supporting people who face barriers in accessing the PDS, the initiative is expected to aid in streamlining and improving the efficiency in usage of storage space, especially in warehouses, and thereby minimising losses since the door delivery of goods in bulk would be done within the first week of every month.

The state has issued over 18.45 lakh Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards to the poorest households, each eligible to receive 35kg of rice per month, some of who may become eligible for the door delivery scheme as well.

Adblock test (Why?)