New software for e-pos machine; ration distribution to be streamlined

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of addressing the anomalies in the distribution of rations, steps have been taken to resolve the issues in the e-POS machine. The e-POS machines at the ration shops will be checked and the machine will be sealed after providing a new SIM card with good network coverage. The e-POS machines will switch to the new version of the Aadhaar-based software linked to them this month itself.

The new version was hampered by the lack of bandwidth capacity of BSNL, the server's internet service provider in Kerala. This has been resolved and the bandwidth has been increased to 100 Mbps capacity. Officials of Civil Supplies and IT departments discussed its activities online yesterday with NIC officials.

No wifi allowed

The shopkeepers will be informed to use a SIM card with good network coverage and not to use Wi-Fi. The machine is sealed to avoid using Wi-Fi connections. The NIC had found that when the e-POS machine was used by sharing data from other connections; phone calls, WhatsApp messages, etc. that were coming to such connections were disrupting the system.

A special effort to link the mobile phone number of ration card holders with the ration card will begin this month. This is to receive bills and information of purchased ration goods through SMS and to distribute ration using OTP in case of failure of biometric system in e POS machine.