Headline: Cabinet approves Integration and Continuation of two schemes under umbrella scheme SARTHAK-PDS

Extracted Data Points:

  • Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved continuation of "Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling-Income with Automation in PDS" (SARTHAK PDS)
  • Scheme approved as an umbrella scheme in the 16th Finance Commission cycle award period
  • Total outlay of Rs. 25,530 crore as Central share
  • Scheme to operate up to 31.03.2031 (5-year period)
  • CCEA decided to revise norms of Central assistance for meeting expenditure incurred by States/UTs
  • Revision covers intra-state movement & handling of foodgrains and FPS dealers' margin
  • Continuation of existing funding pattern of Central Assistance
  • Scheme integrates two ongoing schemes: (i) "Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of foodgrains and FPS dealers' margin under NFSA" and (ii) "Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART PDS)"
  • Aims to comprehensively strengthen implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA)
  • Scheme will work towards fulfilling Government commitment to 81.35 crore persons covered under NFSA
  • Uses advanced technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Blockchain
  • Creates standardized architectures and unified databases for real-time monitoring
  • Implements AI-driven grievance and analytics systems
  • Establishes State Command Control Centres for data-driven oversight
  • Implements ISO-certified process frameworks
  • Builds on previous digitization initiatives: End-to-End Computerization of TPDS, Integrated Management of PDS (IM-PDS) and SMART PDS
  • Uses citizen-facing applications: Mera Ration, Anna Mitra, Rightful Targeting Dashboard and Anna Sahayata
  • Since 1st April 2023, SMART PDS scheme has enabled complete digitization of ration cards, Aadhaar seeding, FPS automation through e-PoS, online allocation and computerized supply-chain management across 36 States/UTs