SMART PDS Scheme : A Bold Initiative In Digitisation

Context:- SMART PDS Scheme :Recently, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution emphasized every state to implement SMART-PDS.

What is SMART-PDS?

SMART-PDS refers to Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System.
Aim–
- To prevent leakage of food grains
- To increase the efficiency of the distribution chain
- To ensure the availability of such provisions for migrants
It is a system where smart ration cards are issued to beneficiaries of public distribution system, and ration is given through fair price shops to any member of the beneficiary family.
The fingerprint template of the beneficiary is recorded in these smart ration cards, which records all transactions.
It is an initiative of the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
It is a technological driven initiative that seeks to reduce human intervention and promote automation in the existing processes.

What schemes support public distribution system?

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) -A food security welfare scheme announced during covid-19.
Open Market Sale Scheme –To sell surplus stocks of wheat and rice at pre-determined prices through e-auction in the open market
The scheme is implemented by Food Corporation of India.
Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) – States were required to identify the poor for delivery of food grains and for its distribution in a transparent and accountable manner.
Antyodaya anna yojana (AAY) – Aims at reducing hunger among the poorest segments of the Below Poverty Line population.
AAY involved identification of 1 crore poorest of the poor families from amongst the number of BPL families covered under TPDS.
One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) -A scheme that will nationalize a beneficiary’s ration card by a process called Aadhaar Seeding.
Aadhaar seeding ensures that the beneficiary can pick up her or his entitled food grain from any fair price shop in the country.
Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IMPDS) – The scheme entitles food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country.
The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) – Provides a legal right to persons belonging to eligible households to receive foodgrains at subsidised price.

What are challenges to PDS?

Lack of credible and dynamic data on consumption and mobility patterns
Inefficient delivery of critical central welfare schemes to the most vulnerable sections of our society
Gaps in the implementation of the PDS related schemes
Inaccurate identification of households and a leaking delivery system
Error of exclusion and inclusion of beneficiaries
Leakage of food grains during transportation to the ration shop and from the ration shop itself into the open market

What are the various reforms to be implemented in PDS?

Data analytics(DA)/business intelligence (BI) platforms -Centre now plans to use the DA/BI platforms and other ICT tools and technologies and deepen PDS reforms.
Standardization of the PDS -There will be a standardization of the PDS operation through the use of technology and integrating the same with various distribution agencies.
Technology-led reforms -Are expected to overcome the state-level technological limitations of PDS operations concerning IT hardware, software and technical manpower.
Technology-led reforms will also institutionalize an integrated central system for all PDS-related operations across all states/UTs.