GOVT PLANS 'RICE ATM' TO DISTRIBUTE RICE TO 'RATION CARD HOLDERS' IN THIS STATE - DETAILS

After Vietnam and Indonesia, the Indian state of Karnataka has decided to install rice ATMs which can be used by ration card holders. The state government is doing so to ensure that Below Poverty (BPL) card holders are benefitted from the Public Distribution System and they could also get access to rice easily instead of having to wait in long queues at ration shops. 

Karnataka already has water ATMs for PDS and BPL card holders. There are almost 800 dispensers across the state. A similar model is likely to be followed for the upcoming rice ATM. 

“The dispensers have different sizes and capacity — from 100 kg to 500 kg. After installing these rice ATMs at a couple of centres, we will expand and install them across the state,” Food and Civil Supplies Minister K Gopalaiah told The Print. 

“Quality control is very important. We also need to ascertain how we will refill the grains in these ATMs if they are kept open 24×7. This is being done in the interest of people, and we hope to see it implemented soon,” the minister added.