Karnataka has automated 20,741 Fair Price Shops (FPSs), which is 99.4% of all 20,862 FPSs in the state. They installed electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices at these shops to improve transparency and accountability in the Public Distribution System (PDS). This system uses biometric or Aadhaar-based authentication to reduce leakages and prevent fraud. It ensures beneficiaries get their full ration entitlement. This automation drive started in April 2023 as part of a digital push to modernize the PDS. The state’s ration cards and beneficiary databases are fully digitised and linked to Aadhaar. Beneficiaries can now access rations by entering their ration card or Aadhaar number on the ePoS device, followed by fingerprint or iris biometric verification. An official told The Hindu, “The digitised system ensures that beneficiaries can receive foodgrains with minimal human intervention.” This platform also connects to digital services like One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC), the Mera Ration App, and Anna Sahayata. The ePoS devices offer a single handheld solution for retailers, wholesalers, and field officers. They manage sales, billing, inventory, weighing, and digital payments. This integration cuts down malpractices at ration shops. "Biometric authentication linked to Aadhaar plays a key role in eliminating ‘ghost beneficiaries’ and curbing diversion of subsidised foodgrains into the open market. Each transaction is recorded electronically and uploaded in real time to a central server," the official explained. Many devices also link to electronic weighing machines. This guarantees beneficiaries receive the exact amount of foodgrains they are entitled to, preventing under-weighing by dealers. This effort follows Central Government instructions for all states to implement smart PDS systems by March 2026. In a Rajya Sabha reply, Union Minister Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya said all states and Union Territories have completed 100% digitisation of ration cards and beneficiary data, with 99.9% of ration cards Aadhaar-seeded nationwide.