Government department is not aware of supreme court recommendations

Government of India has taken up the computerization of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in a phased manner to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the TPDS. In the first phase, the scheme on Computerization of TPDS Operations had been approved to be implemented on pilot basis in three districts each of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Delhi. A pilot scheme on Smart Card based delivery of essential commodities has been initiated in Chandigarh UT and Haryana. Under the scheme, existing ration cards are to be replaced by Smart Cards.
Department of Food & Public Distribution is not aware of such recommendation made by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the recent orders passed relating to TPDS in the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 196/2001.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.