Ludhiana, March 30 -- Around 30% of the e-KYC verification drive for ration card holders has been completed in Ludhiana, officials said, as the district advances a large-scale exercise expected to significantly expand beneficiary coverage under the public distribution system (PDS).

Authorities said the verification is being carried out in phases, beginning with ground-level checks by food inspectors, followed by authentication through electronic Point of Sale (ePOS) machines installed at ration depots. The process, though progressing steadily, has been relatively challenging in Ludhiana due to its sizeable migrant population and frequent mobility of beneficiaries.

"Ludhiana has a large migrant base, which makes verification more complex...