Karnataka will soon be installing ATM machines that will dispense rice for people who own a ration card. This has previously been done by the governments of Vietnam and Indonesia.
How does this rice ATM work? Let’s find out!
After Water ATMs, Karnataka Government Installs Rice ATMs For Ration Card Holders
The Government of Karnataka will be installing rise ATMs in order to ensure that those who own ration cards will be able to buy rice immediately instead of waiting for it in very long queues.
This will definitely help the people who are holders of the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the Below Poverty Line (BPL) card.
Prior to this, Karnataka already has installed as much as 800 water ATMs for the PDS and BPL card holders throughout the entire state and the rice ATM system will be following the same manner.
K. Gopalaiah, Food and Civil Supplies Minister, has said that the feasibility of the project is being verified by the Government.
He also said that the dispensers are of different sizes and capacities ranging from 100 kg to 500 kgs. As per the minister, the state government will install these ATMs at a couple of centres initially and then expand to other parts of the state installing them there.
The minister also said that the government is tackling some issues that might arise later on.
He said, “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.”
As per reports, the system will be similar to the water ATMs that have already been set up. Token coins will be given to PDS card holders which they can use at the ATMs in return for the rice.
Who Is Eligible To Get Rice From The Rice ATM?
The state Government of Karnataka offers 5 kg of rice per person to every BPL card holder under the Anna Bhagya, which is the free rice scheme. As per food and civil supplies officials, as much as 5 crore individuals are covered under the scheme.
Under the same scheme, any Above Poverty Line (APL) family can buy rice at Rs. 15 per kg. However, they are not eligible for the rice ATM scheme.
There might also be a smart card or a biometric system instead of coins to gain access to the ATMs.
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