Maharashtra's first grain ATM starts in Nashik, ration available 24 hours a day

The government gives free ration to poor and vulnerable people. Ration card holders will now not have to stand in long queues for it. The state's first grain ATM has started in Nashik city. The Food and Civil Supplies Department has launched the scheme.

According to the department, just as money can be withdrawn from a bank ATM at any time, beneficiaries will get ration grain easily and transparently 24 hours a day. The machine has been installed in Nashik under a pilot scheme and runs on modern technology. Wheat, rice and other grain come out directly into the beneficiary's bag.

Using the machine is simple. First, the beneficiary has to enter their Aadhaar number on the machine. They are then identified biometrically by giving a thumbprint.

The quantity of grain sanctioned for the beneficiary is already fed into the machine. The machine therefore weighs the grain automatically and dispenses only that amount. The whole process is over in a few minutes. It takes a minute at most, and in that time the machine puts 25 to 30 kg of grain into the bag.

Black marketing in ration is nothing new. The government has received complaints many times that grain disappears into the market in the names of fake beneficiaries and is sold. Cases have also been registered against a service provider in this matter. Complaints have also been recorded about black marketing of grain and about subsidised grain shops not opening on time. These trouble ordinary people. The ATM is now expected to help with this problem.

The digital system will curb theft and black marketing of grain. As the machine will run round the clock, labourers will be able to use the scheme at any time. Eligible beneficiaries will also receive 100 per cent of their grain.

The government has taken up this pilot project in Nashik. After this, the Food and Civil Supplies Department will install grain ATMs at many places in the state. The machines will also be started in villages. The government has taken this digital step to make the state's public distribution system more transparent.

The grain ATM is linked to the e-PoS system, so the facility to give grain to beneficiaries under the One Nation One Ration Card system has been started. However, whether beneficiaries from other districts and other states can be given grain at this centre is still being examined. Official information on this has not yet emerged.