Latest news with #AmmaCanteens
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Govt to enable UPI payment in all ration shops within a year
Chennai: Tamil Nadu govt will introduce unified payments interface (UPI) transactions in all 37,328 fair price shops across the state within the next year. As many as 10,661 shops under the public distribution system (PDS) across 37 districts already support cashless payments. Officials from the co-operation, food and consumer protection department said the move is part of modernisation measures, which include ISO quality certifications and renovation of all shops. ELCOT will facilitate the procurement of scanners and POS devices, which will support both card and QR code payments. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The ration shops will also get automated bill generator machines linked to the POS device and the computer in the shop. Each set will cost about 20,000, including the billing machine. Officials said this has already helped streamline payment tracking, monitor purchase timings, and prevent revenue leakage at the staff level. "We received complaints that Amma Canteens were receiving PDS ration in bulk in the city. With QR or digital payments, such pilferage will also reduce," said an official from the department. The state operates one of the country's largest PDS networks, distributing rice, wheat, sugar, tur dal, palm oil, palm jaggery, and millets to 2.25 crore ration cardholders. Of these outlets, 35,181 are run by the cooperative department, 1,527 by the Tamil Nadu civil supplies corporation (TNCSC), 152 by other cooperatives, and 468 by women's self-help groups. Digital payments are one of the criteria for receiving ISO certification. So far, 10,149 fair price shops have obtained ISO 9001 certification for quality, and 2,059 have received ISO 28000 certification for storage safety.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
GCC to deploy 30 vans for faster delivery in Chennai Corporation schools
Over 30 vehicles are expected to be deployed to deliver breakfast to 65,000 children in 358 schools daily, as the city steps up Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme. Vans, fitted with steel racks and meeting pollution and road safety norms, are planned to be hired across three regions of the city to deliver food daily. The project will be tried for 80 working days in the North region, 90 working days in the Central region, and 180 working days in the South. The Greater Chennai Corporation floated tenders to engage 12 vehicles in the North, 14 vehicles in the Central region and four in the South. Totally, the project is estimated to cost ₹61 lakh. Under the arrangement, private contractors will supply the vehicles along with drivers who have a minimum of five years' experience operating light motor vehicles and hold valid tourist permits, said a civic official. Each morning, these vehicles will report at designated pickup points, load freshly prepared breakfasts from 35 kitchens — including Amma Canteens — and transport them to corporation schools. Trip sheets maintained by the drivers and certified by GCC officials will form the basis for monthly payments, he said.
