People wait longer for Pongal gift at PDS shops amid biometric issues in Coimbatore

Fingerprint authentication problems at public distribution system (PDS) shops in Coimbatore district are causing delays in the distribution of the Pongal gift, with beneficiaries having to wait until their biometric verification is successfully completed.

Several beneficiaries reported repeated failures during fingerprint scanning, resulting in long waiting hours at PDS outlets. Gomathi, who lives near Thondamuthur, said she went to a PDS shop in the morning to collect the Pongal gift but had to wait until evening as her fingerprints were not recognised. She said her husband is immobilised and unable to accompany her. After multiple attempts, the biometric scan was finally completed using her little finger, following which she received the gift.

Similarly, Vidya from Saibaba Colony in the city said her fingerprint authentication failed and she later returned to the shop with her son, whose biometric verification was completed without difficulty, enabling the family to collect the Pongal gift.

District Supply Officer Viswanathan said the issue was linked to server load and biometric limitations. He explained that fingerprints which are clearly registered are authenticated more easily, while cracks and dryness on fingers often result in repeated failures. He said beneficiaries are advised to wait until successful authentication or bring another eligible family member. In rare cases, offline entries are permitted, supported by acknowledgement from the beneficiary and photographic evidence of collection.

A total of 11,22,290 family cardholders in Coimbatore district are eligible for the Pongal gift, which includes one kg of raw rice, one kg of sugar, one whole sugarcane and ₹3,000 in cash. Free dhotis and sarees are also being distributed along with the gift.

The district has 1,540 PDS shops, and the total cash outlay for the Pongal gift scheme has been estimated at ₹336.68 crore. Distribution began on January 8, and will continue until January 14. Officials said that around 6.9 lakh beneficiaries had received the Pongal gift as of 5 p.m. on Saturday.