Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Department has extended the distribution of April ration supplies until May 5 after confusion in the system affected around 8,000 ration cardholders across the state.

The issue arose when several beneficiaries purchased May’s ration instead of April’s due to an error in the e-PoS system used at ration shops. As a result, many risked losing their April entitlement, which was originally scheduled to end on April 30.

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To address the situation, authorities have begun identifying affected beneficiaries. District Supply Officers are preparing lists of such cardholders and coordinating with ration dealers to inform them and ensure they receive their pending quota.

April distribution extended till May 5

To prevent eligible beneficiaries from missing out, the state government has decided to extend the April ration distribution deadline. The extension is expected to provide relief to those impacted by the confusion.

However, final implementation requires approval from the National Informatics Centre (NIC), which manages the digital e-PoS system used for ration billing and distribution.

The mix-up is linked to a broader directive that allowed beneficiaries to purchase both April and May rations within overlapping timelines. This decision was taken following central guidance amid global uncertainties affecting supply chains.

Under the system, April ration could be purchased until April 30, while May ration was made available from the beginning of April itself until May 30. However, some ration dealers reportedly selected the wrong month on the e-PoS machines, leading to incorrect billing.

Relief expected for delayed supply in ration shops

Officials believe the extension will also help address delays in ration distribution at over 2,000 shops linked to 12 NFSA depots. Supply delays occurred due to annual inspections by Supplyco, with distribution in some areas beginning only in mid-April.

Ration dealers had also requested an extension, citing difficulties in completing distribution within the original timeline.

Authorities are now working to ensure affected beneficiaries are identified quickly and provided their due supplies. The extension, along with improved coordination between officials and ration dealers, is expected to reduce the impact of the disruption.