In a bid to bring transparency in public distribution system (PDS), Orissa government today announced introducing food coupons and biometric cards to avoid duplication of ration cards.

Stating that the department had detected circulation of about one lakh 'ghost' PDS cards in the state, state Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare minister Sarada Prasad Nayak told assembly members these ration cards were issued in fake names.

By cancelling these ghost cards, the department saved Rs 42 crore per annum from the state exchequre, he claimed adding subsidised PDS items were being availed earlier by users of such ghost cards.

Nayak was replying to debate on the budgetary demand of his department in the house.

"We will launch a pilot project in Rayagada district in August to stop duplication of ration cards," he said.

The beneficiaries would be given food coupons in rural areas and biometric cards in urban pockets of Rayagada district for distribution of PDS items like rice, wheat, kerosene oil and others, Nayak said.

"The government will like to extend food coupon and biometric card facilities to rest of the state based on the success of the proposed pilot project in Rayagada," he said.

This apart, the minister said that e-governance system would be introduced in the supplies department on phases in a bid to simplify the system.

The housee passed a proposal of expenditure worth Rs 957.64 crore in the department during 2010-11 fiscal.