Telangana ration cards get enhanced security features
Hyderabad, Aug 13 (TNT): Telangana Food Security Cards (ration cards) have been equipped with multiple security features aimed at strengthening authentication, preventing duplication and improving beneficiary verification under the Public Distribution System (PDS),the Telangana government has announced.
As of August this year, the state has a total of 1.6 crore food security cards providing coverage to 3.43 crore beneficiaries.
The security-enabled cards incorporate nine features, including the official signature of the Commissioner of Civil Supplies, a hologram featuring the Telangana Government emblem, relief text, micro text, dual hidden images, watermark, invisible UV logo, encrypted QR code and Guilloche pattern, according to state Civil Supplies Department.
The official signature of the Commissioner of Civil Supplies serves as the issuing authority’s authentication mark, while the secure hologram carries the Telangana Government emblem.
The cards feature raised “Government of Telangana” text that can be verified by touch. The relief text is designed to be difficult to duplicate through standard printing and provides tactile verification.
Micro text has also been incorporated as an anti-copy feature. The extremely small text can be read under magnification, while counterfeit reproductions are likely to become blurred or unreadable.
A dual hidden image feature uses superimposed letters that become visible at specific viewing angles or under magnification, providing covert authentication. The hidden images display “GoTG” and “ORIGINAL”.
The cards also carry a watermark of the Telangana Government emblem, which is embedded into the material and becomes visible when viewed against light.
An invisible UV logo, printed with ultraviolet-reactive ink, remains hidden under normal lighting and becomes visible under UV light, enabling covert authentication and inspection.
An encrypted QR code has been included for digital verification and beneficiary authentication.
The code stores digitally protected information and is designed to prevent unauthorised copying, manipulation or duplication of embedded data.
The cards further incorporate a Guilloche pattern, an intricate geometric line design created with mathematical precision and intended to make forgery and replication difficult.
The combination of visible, covert, tactile and digital security technologies would help ensure authenticity, prevent duplication and strengthen beneficiary verification across the Public Distribution System.
TNT TS
