Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today launched the Smart Ration Card Scheme to cover 1.41 crore beneficiaries across the state. Rolling out the scheme virtually, with connection to 100 places across the state, the Chief Minister said, 37.5 lakh cards will be distributed to the eligible beneficiaries this month.<br />'' <br />''Besides, he also announced a separate state-funded scheme to provide subsidized rations to the nine lakh beneficiaries not covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Captain Singh said, with this, the total number of beneficiaries in the state will go up to 1.50 crore.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The Chief Minister said, the scheme would help to curb corruption and give freedom to the beneficiaries to buy entitled ration quota from any depot in the state. Describing it as a major step towards empowering the beneficiary, he said, it will end the exploitation of beneficiaries by unscrupulous ration depot holders.</span>