The Age of SMART-PDS Scheme

The Age of SMART-PDS Scheme

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March 12, 2023

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution recently asserted every state to start SMART-PDS.

Insights

• It is a technologically-driven project for Reforms and Modernization in the Public Distribution System (PDS). Its objective is to restrain food grains leakage, improve the performance of the distribution chain and to secure the opportunity of such schemes for migrants

• It is a scheme by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in which Smart Ration Cards are provided to PDS beneficiaries so that ration can be provided to a beneficiary family member by way of fair price shops.

• For recording of transaction, a beneficiary’s fingerprint template can be recorded on Smart Ration Cards.

• This technological-driven system aims to promote automation and minimise human intervention within existing processes.

Schemes that Support PDS

• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) – It is a welfare scheme on food security introduced during the pandemic.

• Open Market Sale Scheme – Implemented through the Food Corporation of India, it aims to sell additional rice and wheat stocks at pre-determined rate through open market e-auction.

• Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) – Identification of the poor by states to deliver food grains and distribute the same in an accountable and transparent manner.

• Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) – Aims to minimise hunger within the poorest community in the Below Poverty Line segment.

• One Nation One Ration Card (ONRORC) – A system of nationalizing the ration card of beneficiaries through Aadhar Seeding so that a beneficiary can collect designated food grain through any fair price shop.

• Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IMPDS) – The scheme ensures food grains can be collected through any fair price shop within the country.

• The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) – Ensures legal right to individuals of suitable households to get subsidised price foodgrains.

Different reforms for implementing PDS

• Business Intelligence (BA)/Data Analytics platforms – The government plans to widen the PDS reforms through BI/DA platforms and similar ICT technologies and tools.

• PDS Standardization – There will be PDS standardization operation using technology while integrating it with different distribution agencies.

• Technology-driven reforms – They are intended to get rid of state-level technological constraints pertaining to technical manpower IT software and hardware in PDS operations.

Sources - The Indian Express & PIB