India, Aug. 16 -- Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday launched the distribution of new smart ration cards, targeting 10.5 million eligible families across the state.

The credit-card-sized PVC smart ration cards are compact, durable, waterproof tear-resistant smart cards, featuring an encrypted QR code alongside nine advanced security elements to prevent duplication.

The new cards display the cardholder's name, address and photograph, with a QR code providing access to details of family members and transaction history of commodities such as rice, sugar and wheat.

"Beneficiaries can access rations at fair price shops by scanning the QR code or entering the card number, followed by biometric authentication by any eligible...