Kundapura: Ration card holders in Kundapura are facing long queues and repeated server problems while trying to complete mandatory e-KYC, with the September 30 deadline drawing closer.
The rush has increased at fair price shops as beneficiaries attempt to complete the process before the deadline. However, technical glitches and server-related problems are reportedly slowing down the e-KYC process, leaving people waiting for hours.
Long queues at fair price shops
The growing number of beneficiaries visiting fair price shops has resulted in overcrowding in several places in Kundapura. People have reportedly been forced to wait for hours to complete the e-KYC formalities.
The situation has become more difficult because the process depends on the availability of the online system. When the server is slow or unavailable, beneficiaries have to wait until the system becomes functional again.
With the deadline approaching, many ration card holders are concerned that they may not be able to complete the process in time if the technical problems continue.
The issue has placed additional pressure on fair price shop operators, who are handling a large number of beneficiaries within limited working hours.
September 30 deadline adds to pressure
The Food and Civil Supplies Department has set September 30 as the deadline for eligible ration card beneficiaries to complete their e-KYC. Similar instructions have been issued across Karnataka.
The process is intended to verify beneficiaries and ensure that ration benefits reach eligible members. The e-KYC is carried out through the point-of-sale machines available at fair price shops.
Recent reports have also highlighted the importance of completing the process before the deadline. In some areas, beneficiaries whose fingerprints do not match during e-KYC have been advised to update their Aadhaar details and undergo verification again.
The Karnataka Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department operates the state’s public distribution system and provides facilities related to ration cards and e-KYC through its official system.
Public seeks immediate action
Residents in Kundapura have urged the Food and Civil Supplies Department to address the server problems quickly and ensure that beneficiaries are able to complete the process without repeated visits.
One of the suggestions is to provide login authority to food inspectors so that the workload can be distributed and the e-KYC process can be completed more efficiently.
Giving additional officials access to the system could help reduce pressure on individual fair price shops, particularly in areas where large numbers of ration card holders are yet to complete verification.
Residents have also sought steps to prevent unnecessary waiting and overcrowding at fair price shops as the deadline approaches.
Technical problems could affect last-minute applicants
The server problems are particularly concerning because many beneficiaries tend to complete mandatory government procedures closer to the deadline. If the rush continues in the final days of September, technical disruptions could result in even longer queues.
Authorities therefore face the task of ensuring that the e-KYC infrastructure can handle the increased volume of applications while also making adequate arrangements at fair price shops.
The process is free for beneficiaries, and ration card holders are being encouraged to complete it before September 30 rather than waiting until the final days.
The e-KYC exercise is part of efforts to maintain updated beneficiary records and strengthen the public distribution system. However, for the process to work effectively, beneficiaries need reliable access to the authentication system.
Authorities face deadline challenge
The situation in Kundapura highlights the difficulties that can arise when a large number of beneficiaries have to complete a technology-dependent verification process within a fixed deadline.
With September 30 approaching, resolving server issues and reducing overcrowding will be important to ensure that eligible ration card holders are not forced to make repeated trips to fair price shops.
The Food and Civil Supplies Department will also need to ensure that adequate technical and administrative support is available during the remaining period so that the e-KYC process can be completed smoothly.
For beneficiaries in Kundapura, the immediate concern remains straightforward: completing mandatory e-KYC before the deadline without having to spend hours waiting because of server failures.