A Smart Card project will soon be launched throughout the country to check leakages and diversion in the Public Distribution System. A pilot project to this effect was first started in Haryana earlier. The Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Minister Sharad Pawar disclosed this while addressing the concluding session of the Economic Editors’ Conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.Mr Pawar said, his ministry is also holding consultations with the Unique Identification Development Authority to effectively dovetail the AADHAR numbers with the ration cards. This would go along a long way in checking diversion of food grains from PDS and ensure its delivery to the targeted population. He said, with National Advisory Council taking a decision of providing food grains to the BPL and APL families, the demand for the procured food grains is bound to increase. He added the procurement has increased to 55 million tones. Referring to the food production in the country he said, it will be record in pulses and wheat but due to scant rainfall in some states the production of paddy may not exceed the earlier record. The minister noted to increase food production extension of Green Revolution to Eastern Region has been launched. This he said has been done after the recommendation of a task force set up for the purpose. Mr. Shard Pawar said, keeping in view the vagaries of nature , varieties of wheat have been released for different eco-systems. Referring to agriculture credit, Mr. Pawar said, it has consistently exceeded the target and this year 3, 75, 000 crores is the target. The minister added that agriculture credit would be available on 5 percent interest rate for those farmers who make timely repayment. AIR correspondent reports that the focus of the minister’s speech and answers to the queries was to send a message that Government is committed to the development of farmers while taking on board the concerns of consumers.