Not just rice and kerosene, ration shops to give Rs 5000 as well

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: “10 kg rice, 2 kg wheat, one litre kerosene and Rs 5000”; customers can soon extend their smart ration cards and ask for money from the ration shops. The shop owner who weighs cereal grains will soon count money as well. As the ration shops are turned into mini ATM centres, people can withdraw money using smart ration cards. A maximum of Rs 5000 can be withdrawn.

The fixed amount to be handled will be given to the ration shop licensee by the bank. Even if the shop owner pays more, the amount including commission will reach the licensee’s account on the very same day.

The initiative to link all ration cards with Aadhaar cards have reached its final stage. The scheme will also link ration cards to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Money can be withdrawn if the beneficiary maintains an adequate balance in the bank account taken in a bank which is part of the project. Currently, SBI and Bank of Baroda have shown interest to participate in the project which will be implemented in thousand ration shops in rural areas.