New Delhi, May 27 (H.S.): The Central Government has approved the continuation and integration of the Sarthak-PDS scheme until March 31, 2031, with the objective of making the Public Distribution System (PDS) more efficient and affordable. Under the scheme, foodgrain transportation, storage, e-POS automation, and supply chain management will be strengthened. A central expenditure of ₹25,530 crore has been approved for this purpose.

The proposal was approved during the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. Briefing reporters about the decision, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the “Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling–Incorporating Automation in PDS,” known as Sarthak-PDS, will be implemented as an umbrella scheme. It integrates foodgrain transport assistance and Smart-PDS schemes. The objective of the scheme is to make the Public Distribution System more integrated, citizen-centric, and technology-driven.

Under the scheme, revised central assistance will be provided to states and Union Territories for expenditure incurred on intra-state transportation and handling of foodgrains. The margin for fair price shop dealers and the existing central financial assistance will also continue.

The Sarthak-PDS scheme will support the food security of 81.35 crore beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act. The scheme will expand Aadhaar seeding, e-POS automation, and computerized supply chain management across all states and Union Territories. In addition, emphasis has been laid on the use of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Blockchain.

The scheme also proposes the development of a real-time monitoring mechanism and an Artificial Intelligence-based grievance redressal system. According to the government, this will make the distribution system more accountable and effective.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar