SARTHAK PDS scheme

 

Govt. approves new SARTHAK PDS scheme to strengthen food security

SARTHAK Public Distribution System (PDS) scheme

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the SARTHAK Public Distribution System (PDS) scheme for a period of five years at a 

• cost of ₹25,530 crore 
• to improve food security.

The scheme will use advanced technologies for 

• transparency, 
• security 
• sustainability” in PDS operations across India.

The approval covers 

the entire PDS value chain, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told presspersons after the Cabinet meeting.

₹25,530 crore for five years

• from the selection of beneficiaries
• movement of foodgrains
• getting proactive feedback from citizens
• reducing transportation distance — all those activities have been approved with an outlay of ₹25,530 crore for five years,” he said.

‘Not replacement’

SARTHAK-PDS does not replace the existing PDS system 

but will ensure structural reform across the 

• delivery of foodgrains, 
• logistics, 
• transportation, 
• material handling, 
• and grievance redressal, Mr. Vaishnaw said.

umbrella scheme 

which integrates the ongoing ‘Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of foodgrains and FPS dealers’ margin under NFSA (National Food Security Act)’ and the ‘Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART PDS)’, an official statement said.

The merger is expected to strengthen the NFSA’s implementation under a single administrative framework.

The merged scheme is slated operate up to March 31, 2031.

Financial support

The scheme will provide financial support for 

• intra-State movement and handling of PDS goods, 
• 
  
• and the fair price shops’ dealers’ margin.
• 
  
•  It also envisages a citizen-centric, interoperable PDS architecture for last-mile service delivery, and minimising leakages.

Advanced technologies

including

•  AI, 
• machine learning, 
• blockchain, 
• natural language -  processing will enable real-time monitoring, grievance and analytics systems, data-driven oversight by State Command Control Centres, and ISO-certified process frameworks for security and transparency.

What is India’s Public Distribution System?

• About: 
• 
  
• The Public Distribution System (PDS) is India’s largest food security mechanism through which subsidized food grains are distributed to eligible households via Fair Price Shops (FPS) established under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution 
  • It operates under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 and ensures access to affordable food grains for vulnerable sections of society. 

• National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013:
  
  
   It ensures equitable distribution of foodgrains to vulnerable populations. 
  • The Act legally entitles: 
    • Up to 75% of the rural population, and 
    • Up to 50% of the urban population 
    • to receive subsidized foodgrains through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). 
  • Based on Census 2011, this covers around 81.35 crore beneficiaries. 
  • The Act follows a human life-cycle approach, ensuring access to adequate and nutritious food at affordable prices so that people can live with dignity. 

Categories of Beneficiaries under NFSA: 

 

• Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Households:
  
  
  
   AAY households represent the “poorest of the poor” and are entitled to: 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month. 
  • Eligible Categories: Households headed by widows, elderly persons, disabled persons, or terminally ill persons without social support. 
    • Primitive tribal households. 
    • Landless agricultural labourers and marginal farmers. 
    • Rural artisans and slum dwellers. 
    • Informal sector workers dependent on daily wages. 
  • BPL families with HIV-positive members. 
• 
  
• 
  
• Priority Households (PHH): 
  
  
  
• Priority households are identified by State Governments/UT Administrations and are entitled to: 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month. 

Free Foodgrain Distribution under PMGKAY

•  To reduce the financial burden on poor households, the Government decided to provide free foodgrains under NFSA beginning from 1st January 2023.  
• The scheme has been extended for five years from 1st January 2024 with an estimated financial outlay of ₹11.80 lakh crore, fully funded by the Central Government. 
• 
  

• Implementation Framework: 
• 
  
• The system operates under the joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments, making it one of the largest welfare distribution networks in the world. 
• 
  
  • The Central Government, mainly through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), is responsible for the procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation of food grains to States and Union Territories. 
  • 
    
  • State Governments are responsible for operational activities such as Identification of beneficiaries, issuance of ration cards, intra-state distribution and monitoring of Fair Price Shops (FPSs). 
  • 
    
  • Several States and Union Territories also distribute additional mass-consumption items through PDS outlets, including pulses, edible oils, iodized salt and spices.