• Source:JND

Sarthak-PDS: To ensure timely and adequate ration delivery to India’s 813.5 million poor, the central government is going to make major changes in the Public Distribution System (PDS). The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced the new "Sarthak-PDS" scheme on Wednesday, jagran.com reported.

Rs 25,530 crore will be spent on this over five years. The government claims that the new system will make ration distribution more transparent, faster, and reliable, ensuring the right amount of grain reaches the poor. If implemented properly in the states, it will increase transparency in the ration system.

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Black Marketing Will Be Curbed

Black marketing and fake ration cards will be stopped, and the poor will receive their full rights. The government also considers this a major step towards creating a more reliable and modern ration system for the poor. After the cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the aim of the new system is to integrate the entire ration distribution process into a single digital system. Every stage, from the FCI warehouse to the final ration shop and beneficiary, will be monitored in an integrated manner.

This will make it easier to determine how much grain has reached each state, how much has been distributed to which shop, and where irregularities are suspected. Currently, the ration system operates under two separate schemes. The first scheme provides financial assistance to states for lifting grain from Food Corporation of India (FCI) warehouses and distributing it to districts, blocks, and ration shops. This also includes the commission of fair price shopkeepers. The second scheme is making the ration system digital and technology-based through Smart PDS.

Valid Till March 31, 2031

The government believes that working under different schemes creates difficulties in coordination and monitoring. Many states operate differently, hindering uniformity in the distribution system. Now, the government has combined both schemes to create a new integrated system, named Sarthak-PDS. This scheme will remain in effect until March 31, 2031.

Now, modern technologies like AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and blockchain will be used in the ration system. The system will now be able to identify areas where distribution is slow, grain is being stolen, or where fraud is suspected.

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Real Time Monitoring System

A real-time monitoring system will also be developed. Command and control centers will be established in the states, where the entire PDS network will be monitored. Complaints will be resolved through an AI-based system. The new system will also provide relief to ration shop owners and states. Many states were facing financial difficulties in transporting grain from FCI warehouses to final distribution centers.

Now the central government will help with the cost. Additionally, ration dealers' commissions will be increased. Dealers have long been demanding increased commissions. Delivering grain to the last person will only be possible if states and ration shop owners are financially strengthened. Therefore, the new scheme combines both financial assistance and technological improvements.


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