Sat Oct 11 07:42:01 UTC 2025: **Here’s a summary of the provided text:**

The article, published in *The Hindu* on October 11, 2025, reports on the Puducherry Department of Civil Supplies mandating the acceptance of e-ration cards by all government agencies involved in welfare scheme implementation. The move, initiated a month prior, aims to streamline e-governance and improve citizen convenience. The e-ration cards, issued through Common Service Centres and online, feature e-signatures and QR codes for verification. Agencies can scan the QR code to ensure authenticity. The department emphasizes the use of digital platforms like Digilocker for easy access to the e-ration cards.
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**Here’s the summarized text rewritten as a news article:**

**Puducherry Agencies Must Accept E-Ration Cards for Welfare Programs**

**PUDUCHERRY, October 11, 2025** – The Puducherry Department of Civil Supplies has directed all government agencies involved in the implementation of welfare schemes to accept e-ration cards as valid proof of eligibility for beneficiary assistance. The directive, outlined in an inter-departmental note issued on October 9th, aims to streamline the process of accessing government programs and enhance citizen convenience through digital governance.

Director of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, S. Sathiyamoorthy, stated that the decision to issue ration cards online and through Common Service Centres (CSCs) necessitates the acceptance of the digital version. He emphasized that agencies should consider the e-ration card as valid proof across all four regions of the Union Territory.

“All welfare and scheme implementing departments are hereby requested to accept the e-ration card from the general public,” the note read. “In case of any doubt or discrepancies, the verifying authority could scan the QR code available in the e-ration card to ensure details are genuine.”

The department launched the e-ration card initiative a month ago, incorporating robust e-signatures and QR codes for security. Key digital platforms such as Digilocker will facilitate public access to the digital cards. Officials say the implementation marks a significant step forward in e-governance.

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