Vijayawada: Civil Supplies, Food and Consumer Affairs minister Nadendla Manohar announced that applications are being invited for new rice cards and changes in rice cards from Wednesday.He said that six types of services are being made available from the day, including issuance of new rice cards, division of cards, change of address, addition of members, removal of existing members, and surrender of cards.Addressing media at the Secretariat in Velagapudi of Amaravati on Tuesday, the minister said an opportunity has been provided for people to register their requests at the nearest village and ward secretariats. He said preparations are being made to issue in June new rice cards in the form of smart cards with QR codes. All the details will be visible when the card is scanned. As this card is linked to the database, data of the card will be updated automatically in the system.Manohar disclosed that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had issued orders in March last year to stop the issuance of new cards in view of the 2024 elections. He explained that there are a total of 1,46,21,223 rice cards in the state. About 4,24,59,028 people have registered their names through these cards.The minister said that since children under five years of age and those above 80 years are not required to do e-KYC, about 6,45,765 people have not done e-KYC. He said 3,94,08,070 people have registered for changes and additions in their rice cards.Manohar said due to the untimely rains last Sunday, about 7 cm of rainfall had been recorded in both Godavari districts, causing severe damage to crops. In this context, he said the state government is ready to purchase even wet and discoloured rice.He pointed out that 1,50,19,303 gas cylinders have been distributed under the Deepam-2 scheme till today. The subsidy amount is being deposited in the accounts of beneficiaries within a few hours of the cylinder delivery.The minister said fine quality rice will be distributed every month in 25 kg bags to 41,000 government schools and 4,000 welfare hostels in the state from June 12.AP State Civil Supplies Corporation commissioner Saurabh Gaur participated in the meeting.
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