The Aadhaar-enabled public distribution system launched in Ranchi on pilot basis threw up a tragic loophole on Tuesday when around 50 leprosy patients turned up at their ward councillor's office, saying they had not received ration for the past three months as they lacked thumbs and fingers to verify their biometric identity, the Telegraph reported.

The 50-odd leprosy patients, including women, told ward 43 councillor Chanda Devi their very survival was at stake. Every month, a ration-cum-Aadhaar cardholder is supposed to get 1kg salt, 2 litres of kerosene, 2kg of sugar, 3kg of rice and 2kg of wheat, all at heavily subsidised rates.

Among the 450-odd leprosy patients who live in Indiranagar, many have fingers and thumbs. But, those who lost them due to the debilitating disease are now blocked from getting PDS items despite having all valid documents.

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