Chennai, Aug 8 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government has launched a two-day special e-KYC drive at all fair price shops across the State on Saturday, giving ration card beneficiaries another opportunity to complete their Aadhaar-linked biometric verification.
The special camps are being held on August 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at fair price shops across Tamil Nadu.
The initiative is aimed at achieving 100 per cent e-KYC coverage among beneficiaries under Priority Household (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cards.
According to an official release, Tamil Nadu has already completed e-KYC verification for 95.86 per cent of beneficiaries covered under priority ration cards.
The weekend campaign will focus on beneficiaries who are yet to register their fingerprints and complete the verification process.
Under the National Food Security Act, 2013, the Union government has directed states to verify the Aadhaar details of beneficiaries linked to electronic ration cards.
As part of the exercise, beneficiaries are required to undergo biometric authentication, primarily through fingerprint verification, to confirm their identity.
Tamil Nadu has been carrying out e-KYC verification of family members linked to ration cards since October 2023. The exercise has been undertaken through fair price shops to make it easier for beneficiaries to complete the process without affecting the regular distribution of essential commodities.
With the state approaching full coverage, the government has organised the special two-day camps to bring the remaining beneficiaries under the e-KYC system.
Authorities have urged ration card holders whose family members are yet to undergo biometric authentication to visit their fair price shops on Saturday or Sunday and register their fingerprints. The facilities will be available throughout the State during the stipulated camp hours.
The special drive is also intended to provide an additional opportunity to beneficiaries who could not complete e-KYC during the regular verification exercise.
Aadhaar-based authentication is being undertaken to verify beneficiaries receiving subsidised foodgrains through the Public Distribution System and ensure that benefits under the food security programme reach eligible families.
The government has appealed to all beneficiaries with pending e-KYC verification to make use of the statewide weekend camps and complete the process.
–IANS
aal/skp
