The 61 FPS had biometric machines installed by which rations are issued to card holders only when it okays their thumb impression. As the machines are linked to Aadhar numbers it was initially felt there would no problems.

But issues started from Tuesday when consumers were told that their thumb impressions on the machine did not match their Aadhar details and hence they were told to come back later. When this problem was faced by many consumers, officials realised it was the machines which were at fault and not card holders. At least 10% of cardholders have been affected in the 13 FPS in Pernambut town, sources revealed.

Pernambut Consumer Welfare and Protection association president T Basheeruddin, who brought this to the notice of local said “asking consumers to wait till glitches are overcome is not correct as many will lose a day’s wage if they are forced to take leave to go to the ration shop.”

Taluk supply and cooperative officials said “glitches were due to using the BSNL network. “BSNL taluk engineer accompanied by officials visited problematic shops and informed salesman that the glitches would ironed out in a couple of days and that they should “pakkuvama” inform consumers.