India Government has shared the latest update on the digital transformation of its Public Distribution System. The computerisation comprises digitization of ration cards, online allocation, computerisation of supply chain management, etc.
States/UTs have completed digitization of all 23.2 crore ration cards having more than 80 crore beneficiaries.
The government has also approved a central sector scheme namely “Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)” for implementation during 2018-19 and 2019-20. The objectives of the scheme are to integrate PDS system/portals of States/UTs with Central System/portals, introduction of National Portability, and de-duplication of ration cards/beneficiary, etc.
The new scheme will bring more transparency and efficiency in distribution of foodgrains as it will improve the mechanism to identify fake/duplicate ration cards and provide the option to PDS beneficiaries to lift their entitled foodgrains from the Fair Price Shops of their choice at the national level.
Presently, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi has started portability at the state level, whereas, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Telangana have also started portability in the few FPS areas within the state, said CR Chaudhary, minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
