Punjab Food Commission pushes for single transaction slip for 3-month ration
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 26, 2026: The Punjab State Food Commission has recommended simplifying the public distribution system by introducing a single transaction receipt for three months’ ration and issuing ration slips in Punjabi, Hindi and English to make the process more efficient and user-friendly.
The recommendations were made during a meeting chaired by Punjab State Food Commission Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma, where members deliberated on issues raised by fair price shop (depot) holders from across the state.
Commission members Vijay Dutt and Chetan Parkash Dhaliwal informed the Chairman that depot holders had highlighted operational difficulties arising from the current system. Although beneficiaries receive a three-month wheat allocation at one time, the e-POS machines generate separate transaction slips for each month’s ration, along with an additional slip for food kits distributed under the Meri Rasoi scheme.
As a result, four separate slips are generated for every beneficiary, increasing transaction time to nearly 20–25 minutes and leading to long queues at fair price shops while adding to the workload of depot holders.
To address the issue, the Commission decided to recommend to the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department that the e-POS system be modified to generate a single receipt covering the entire three-month ration entitlement, with the Meri Rasoi distribution integrated into the same transaction.
The Commission also recommended that transaction receipts be printed in Punjabi, Hindi and English, noting that many beneficiaries face difficulties understanding slips generated only in English.
In another key decision, the Commission resolved to advise the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development to ensure the timely supply and quality of dry ration being provided to Anganwadi centres in Fazilka, Ferozepur and Hoshiarpur through an NGO.
Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma said the proposed measures are aimed at improving the efficiency, accessibility and transparency of the state’s public distribution system while making ration services more convenient for beneficiaries and depot operators alike.