Kerala: Mustering process delayed in ration shops across state due to server failure; check details

By Rashmi Kuttan | First Published Mar 16, 2024, 11:28 AM IST

The mustering process in the ration shops across the state has been disrupted due to ongoing e-POS server failures today. Ration traders emphasized that without replacing the server of the e-POS machine used for ration distribution, the challenges faced in distributing ration across the state cannot be resolved.

Thiruvananthapuram: The mustering process in the ration shops across the state has been disrupted due to ongoing e-POS server failures today. The mustering process for yellow card holders, scheduled for today, has been affected by this interruption.

However, due to a technical issue with the State IT Mission's system, only 1,82,116 cardholders completed the mustering process. Due to a technical problem reported by multiple ration outlets, the department decided to limit the process to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (yellow) ration cardholders only to relieve server congestion.

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Many people are gathered in front of ration shops, hoping to resolve the ongoing issues with ration distribution. Both ration traders and consumers are protesting the continued problem. People of all ages, including the elderly, have been waiting at the ration shops since morning. Ration traders emphasized that without replacing the server of the e-POS machine used for ration distribution, the challenges faced in distributing ration across the state cannot be resolved.

Muhammad Ali, General Secretary of the Ration Dealers Association, blamed the conflict in ration shops by stating that mustering cannot be done simultaneously throughout the state. He also insisted that the mustering be completed by splitting it into seven districts. Due to the server strike, the KYC process in the state's ration shops has been delayed.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil stated that provisions had been made to use the National Informatics Centre's Authentication User Agency (AUA) services on standby to ensure uninterrupted operations, even if those offered by the State IT Mission fail. The minister also demanded that the distribution of ration should be halted entirely for today. Mustering commenced in the state on February 20, with a total of 1.54 crore yellow and pink card holders. However, only 15 lakh cardholders have completed the mustering process so far. According to central instructions, mustering must be completed by March 31. Consequently, as mustering is ongoing, the distribution of ration has been suspended until tomorrow.

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