Recently, the Government launched new digital initiatives to modernise the Public Distribution System (PDS).

About the Digital Initiatives to Strengthen PDS 

• Bhandara 360: Bhandara 360 is a cloud-based warehouse management platform designed to streamline storage operations and ensure real-time monitoring.
• Smart EXIM Warehouse: Smart EXIM Warehouse is an advanced digital system aimed at enhancing export–import warehousing efficiency and reducing logistics turnaround time.
• Anna Darpan: Anna Darpan is an integrated cloud-based operations system that provides end-to-end visibility of foodgrain movement across the PDS network.
• ASHA (AI Solution for Holistic Automation): ASHA is an artificial intelligence–based solution developed to automate decision-making, improve forecasting and strengthen accountability in food supply chains.
  • ASHA will take  feedback from beneficiaries under the public distribution system and direct officials to take action on grievances expeditiously.
• Modern SILO Facility at Malout, Gujarat: The SILO facility is a state-of-the-art storage infrastructure supporting scientific grain handling and long-term preservation.

About the Public Distribution System (PDS)

• The Public Distribution System is a government-led mechanism that supplies essential commodities at subsidised prices to ensure food security.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
• Evolution of PDS
  • 1960s: PDS expanded in response to food shortages, mainly serving urban scarcity zones.
  • 1992 (RPDS): The Revamped Public Distribution System strengthened outreach in remote and vulnerable regions.
  • 1997 (TPDS): The Targeted Public Distribution System shifted focus to BPL households with differentiated pricing.
  • 2000 onwards (AAY): Antyodaya Anna Yojana provided highly subsidised foodgrains to the poorest families, with expansions up to 2.5 crore households by 2005.
  • 2013: National Food Security Act (NFSA) converted the PDS from a welfare scheme to a legal, rights-based entitlement, covering a significant portion of the population with legal rights to subsidized food grains.
  • 2023: Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY)(Since 1 jan, 2023), the government provided free food grains to Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Household beneficiaries under the NFSA to reduce their financial burden and ensure uniform nationwide implementation.
• Structure: The PDS operates jointly between the Centre and States
  • Centre: Procurement and bulk allocation through FCI
  • States: Beneficiary identification, ration card issuance and FPS supervision.
• Coverage: Up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population, which at Census 2011 comes to 81.35 crore persons.

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Significance

• The digital initiatives strengthen transparency, reduce logistics costs and ensure timely delivery of subsidised foodgrains to the poorest households.

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