Ranchi: The state is set to pilot grain ATMs in three major urban centres — Ranchi, East Singhbhum (Jamshedpur) and Dhanbad — to give eligible ration cardholders faster, more accurate and round-the-clock access to food grains.In Ranchi, the machine will be installed at the town circle office near Kutchery Chowk. Jamshedpur’s first grain ATM will come up at the old State Food Corporation warehouse on the block office premises, while Dhanbad’s unit will be placed at Barwa (west) school near the new DC office.Food, public distribution and consumer affairs secretary Rajesh Kumar Sharma said a central govt team recently inspected the proposed sites and shared infrastructure requirements.“We have instructed the respective district administrations to carry out the necessary site modifications so that installation can begin at the earliest,” Sharma said.The automated dispensers have been developed under a UN World Food Programme initiative implemented by the Centre. The machines will use biometric authentication to distribute food grains. Beneficiaries can choose wheat, rice or millet, and the system can dispense up to 50 kg across two commodities in five minutes.Officials said the units are energy efficient, consuming 0.6 watts per hour, and can be integrated with solar panels, inverter backup and automated refilling elevators.“The biggest advantage is that beneficiaries can collect their quota at any time. Currently, people are forced to queue up at PDS shops during working hours,” Sharma said.He added that the state would consult the Centre on expanding the system across Jharkhand after assessing the pilot.However, ration dealers have opposed the move, saying it could affect their livelihoods. Gyandev Jha, general secretary of the Fair Price Shop Dealers Association, Jharkhand, said the govt must first frame a plan to protect existing dealers before rolling out the technology.
