Tamil Nadu launches Iris scanning facility in PDS shops

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Food Minister R Chakkarapani on Monday launched the Iris scanning facility in PDS shops.

The first Iris scanning machine in the state was installed in a PDS shop in Nadukuppam in Triplicane in the presence of Chepauk-Triplicane MLA Udhayanidhi Stalin.

"Iris authentication is another step involved in identifying beneficiaries of public distribution system. Those who have difficulty in verifying through fingerprints or who have their fingerprints erased due to hard works can avail this additional facility,” Food Secretary J Radhakrishnan told DT Next.

He also said that there is no change in the existing fingerprint authentication method. "Already, 98 per cent of beneficiaries have been linked with fingerprints and the system is going on successfully. There will be no change in the system. However, for the benefit of people the Iris scanning method has been introduced which will gradually be extended across the State in a phased manner,” said Radhakrishnan.

Apart from Chennai, the facility was simultaneously launched in Ariyalur district and Iris scanning machine costs Rs 9,000 each. If both the Iris scanning facility and the fingerprint scanning facility fails the manual authentication facility is still available for public.