Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 17:

Biometrics authentication will be made essential for receiving food grains for beneficiaries of National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Odisha from January next year.

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NFSA cards of beneficiaries will be linked to their Aadhaar Cards.

Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Das Burma made an announcement in this regard after his discussion with his Jharkhand counterpart Sarju Rai at the State Secretariat here today.

Jharkhand is one of the first states to integrate biometrics with benefits under NFSA.

“Biometrics authentication will be operational in our state from January. All preparatory measures in this regard are complete,” informed Das Burma to reporters.

“On adopting biometrics system, the ration card’s value becomes equivalent to Aadhaar Card.  For those who don’t have Aadhaar Card alternative system has to be devised,” said Sarju Rai, Jharkhand’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister.