Mangaluru: To take measures against bogus ration cards in the state, the department of food and civil supplies will soon launch a website where people can share information about the same. Those who will provide information about bogus ration cards will be rewarded with Rs 400 per info.

Minister of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs U T Khader said that the department staff is working on the modules to introduce the website, where the identity of informers will be kept secret. He said the website will be ready within a week.

"Our main objective is to provide ration cards to all citizens in the state, but, we will also strive to eliminate all the bogus cards through re-verification drive. Nearly 10 lakh applications for new ration cards are pending in the state," Khader said and added that all pending applications will be cleared within three months.

The department has plans to decentralize the process of ration card distribution by handing over the responsibility to gram panchayats, he said. "Gram panchayats will be given the authority to distribute ration cards. Very soon we will hold discussions in this regard with the department of rural development and panchayati raj. In addition, we will also simplify the process of application for ration cards and only Aadhaar cards will be sufficient for one to apply for ration cards. Applicants need not furnish details of electricity RR number, door number and voter ID. The move will speed up the process of ration cards distribution. It will also reduce the burden of our department that faces 60% shortage in staff strength. Posts of many deputy directors and inspectorsare vacant," Khader said.

A proposal mooted by the department to introduce an online facility for people to apply for APL ration cards will be materialized soon. Citizens, who want to apply for APL cards, may apply for the same through our website. They need not visit the department headquarters to apply for APL cards once the system is introduced, he added.