The Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, published the report which evaluates the government's efforts to digitize and modernize the Public Distribution System (PDS) under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
Key Recommendations
- Verification of Beneficiaries: Through a time-bound mission-mode drive with mandatory field verification.
- Inclusion of Eligible Households: Identify and include eligible but excluded households, especially among vulnerable groups.
- Build a future-ready PDS: Develop a unified digital system under Scheme for Modernisation And Reforms through Technology (SMART)- PDS for better transparency, efficiency, and service delivery.
- SMART -PDS aims to standardize operations nationwide by integrating Centre and State PDS platforms.
- Strengthening Digital Connectivity: Improve connectivity at FPSs in remote and no-network areas through Offline synchronization, Alternative authentication methods etc.
- Reforms in Fair Price Shops (FPS): Link ePoS devices with weighing machines, improve grievance tracking and transparency etc.
- Strengthen data integration: By integrating PDS databases with agencies like FCI, Central Warehousing Corporation, UIDAI, etc. for seamless information sharing and monitoring.
- Transparency: Nationwide implementation of Anna Chakra (AI based supply chain optimization tool), its integration with PM Gati Shakti, continuous monitoring to improve PDS logistics and reduce transportation costs.
Key Achievements in PDS Reforms
Challenges in Modernization of PDS
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