THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ration distribution in the state has been stalled for the third consecutive day. E-POS machines went on strike from the morning when the Aadhaar mustering of priority card holders started in the shops along with the distribution of food grains. Traders temporarily stopped mustering in the evening.

The operation of the ration shops in the state was organized in two phases from today as the ration distribution and Aadhaar mustering could not be carried out simultaneously, but the distribution was not smooth even in one phase. Due to the biometric technical failure at e-POS, only a maximum of five people could be given goods in a shop till noon.

In the afternoon, the mustering was stopped in many districts and goods were given to the cardholders through mobile OTP. With this, Tuesday's ration distribution reached two and a half lakh. Food Minister GR Anil held talks with NIC representatives and top officials as food supply and Aadhaar mustering got stuck. The minister will announce the new arrangements tomorrow. The Ration Dealers Coordination asked that arrangements should be made in the ePOS server to conduct ration and Aadhaar mustering on alternate days, otherwise Aadhaar mustering should be facilitated at Akshaya and other online centres.