HYDERABAD: Civil Supplies Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy on Thursday directed officials to complete the distribution of ration cards to genuine beneficiaries before March 31.

He issued the directive during a video conference with the Joint Collectors and District Supply Officers on Thursday at Secretariat. "Notwithstanding the technical snags and other problems, ensure foolproof measures so that genuine and needy people get ration cards," the Minister said.

Photographs

Officers complained about malfunctioning of IRIS equipment installed at district level, delaying the process of taking photographs of beneficiaries. They also spoke about difficulties in taking pictures of those above 65 years.

They sought an alternative method to overcome the problem, but the Minister made it clear that all beneficiaries should be issued only IRIS cards. Mr. Reddy said he would examine the possibility of installing IRIS equipment at mandal revenue offices or municipalities on a permanent basis.

Technical problem

Civil Supplies Commissioner Bhanwarlal, responding to complaints of technical problem, said another round of training would be imparted to the staff between February 13 and 15. Funds would be released to the DPL centres so that photographing of beneficiaries was not hampered.

Earlier, several Joint Collectors said they were yet to receive funds to take up the work. Kadapa Joint Collector said the slow server installed in the district headquarters made it difficult to capture 150 images a day.

The Nellore and Warangal Joint Collectors also complained about software problems.

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