The introduction of new 5G-enabled e-POS machines in Haryana's public distribution system has led to significant disruptions in ration distribution, leaving thousands of beneficiaries in Sirsa district without their May foodgrain quota due to technical glitches and server failures.
Technical Glitches Plague New System
The state government has deployed these advanced machines across ration depots under a multi-crore procurement project. However, delays in machine delivery and frequent server breakdowns have severely impacted ration distribution in several districts, including Sirsa. In the Odhan sub-centre, which serves 25 villages, only about 50 percent of beneficiaries have received their May ration. Many cardholders have visited depots repeatedly over the past several days but returned empty-handed because of persistent technical problems.
Long Queues and Frustration
The situation escalated on May 31, the last day of the month, when long queues formed outside ration depots until late at night. Beneficiaries feared losing their entitlement once June began, but even five days into June, no significant improvement has been observed. In the Kalanwali area, new e-POS machines were supplied to 82 ration depots on May 26. Depot operators reported server issues from the afternoon of May 29 until the evening of May 30, severely hampering distribution. Large crowds gathered on May 31, with some centres operating until nearly 9 pm.
Slow Authentication Process
Fair price shop dealers stated that the new machines suffer from connectivity and server problems. The authentication process has become slower, with each beneficiary taking five to seven minutes to complete a transaction. Depot operators noted that a ration card holder often must provide thumb impressions three times, causing further delays and long queues.
Dealers Demand Simplification
Shishpal Godara, Haryana president of the All-India Fair Price Shop Dealers Federation, reported that nearly 30 percent of the state's ration beneficiaries are still awaiting their May quota. He demanded simplification of the ration distribution process and urged that beneficiaries who missed out in May should receive both May and June rations together this month.
Official Response
Assistant Food Supply Officer (AFSO) Sandeep Kumar acknowledged the server issues and stated that efforts are underway to resolve them. He assured that beneficiaries who could not receive their ration in May will be provided their pending quota along with June's after approval from higher authorities.
The disruption highlights the challenges of implementing new technology in critical public welfare systems, where even minor glitches can have widespread consequences for vulnerable populations.
