UIDAI chief Nandan Nilekani has written to National Advisory Council chairperson Sonia Gandhi, as to how Aadhar can be used to integrate and revive the public distribution system in the country, apart from giving a foolproof digital identity to the common man, thus eliminating corruption and also strengthening the concept of 'inclusive growth'.

Once the system comes to effect, it would enable state governments to directly tell residents about their entitlements through the online account of the beneficiaries, said a discussion paper with the Unique ID Authority. Once the ID number is used in the distribution of ration cards, it would eliminate the menace of bogus card holders, thus ensuring transparency and accountability in the system.

“The UIDAI recognizes that implementing the Right to Food is a priority today for the Indian government. The functioning of the PDS – the mainstay of India’s food programs – is critical to the implementation of Right to Food in India,” the note said.

The system can also be used to track the food grain movement.

The discussion paper also suggested deploying a point of sale system equipped with a fingerprint reader to identify a beneficiary before issuing rations. It said BPL families can use the shop-owner’s mobile phone or a few families can pool together for a cheap handset, as low as Rs. 1,200.

UIDAI made this suggestion at a time the National Advisory Council is deliberating on the food security bill.