Smart PDS Scheme
Context:
- The National Food Security Act of 2013 governs the nation’s primary beneficiary-focused programme (NFSA). Through the Targeted Public Distribution System, 81.35 crore people in India receive food security each month (TPDS).
- To stop leaks and broaden coverage, the government modernised the PDS system using digital technologies.
Modernization and Reform of Public Distribution Systems Using Technology (SMART-PDS) Scheme:
- As the Center moves closer to implementing the Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS) to stop the leakage of foodgrains, improve the effectiveness of the distribution chain, and guarantee the availability of such provisions for migrants, a sizable amount of data is generated and stored daily by states/UTs.
- Thanks to data analytics on the TPDS ecosystem, we can generate important information about the beneficiaries, their requirements for food security, and their migratory patterns.
SMART-PDS-related challenges:
- Due to a lack of trustworthy and current data on spending and mobility patterns, planners have always had a tough time ensuring that the most disadvantaged sections of our society are efficiently supported by significant government welfare initiatives.
- It was anticipated that a variety of other significant welfare systems and programmes may be implemented using the data generated.
- This deficiency will be greatly reduced by the Department of Food and Public Distribution’s (DFPD) initiative to create data-driven decision-making, known as the SMART-PDS.
- Convergence and integration with the use of AI can really be a game changer for both individuals and governments in terms of bringing responsibility across all programmes. The national leadership should be commended for pushing through these significant trans-ministerial convergences.
Utilizing ICT to deliver PDS efficiently:
- The Center currently plans to leverage data analytics/BI platforms and other ICT tools and technology to advance PDS reforms.
- The PDS operation will be standardised through the use of technology and integration with FCI, CWC, the supply chains for rail and road transportation, the Ministry of Education, Women and Child Development, and UIDAI.
- With technology-driven reforms, it is predicted that the state-level technological restrictions on PDS operations in terms of IT hardware, software, and technical personnel will be lifted.
- As a result, a centralised, integrated system will be institutionalised for all PDS-related activities throughout all states and UTs.
- Currently, 93% of the total monthly allowed foodgrains are distributed using electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) systems.
- This benefit is directly related to the nationwide deployment of ePoS devices, the complete digitization of ration cards, online beneficiary data management, computerization of foodgrain distribution, supply chain management systems across all states and UTs, and 100% digitalization of ration cards.
Integrated Management for Public Distribution Systems (IM-PDS):
- To preserve the reforms set in place by the End-to-end Computerization of TPDS Operations plan and address the aforementioned significant challenges, the government has introduced a Central Sector Scheme dubbed Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS).
Its main objectives are:
- Implementation of the One Nation, One Ration Card (nation-wide portability).
- the establishment of a consolidated data repository for the de-duplication of beneficiary and ration card data.
- establishing integrated data infrastructure and management systems for ration cards.
- Supply network for food grains and FPS automation between the federal government and all states.
- The ONORC plan currently consistently records more than 3.5 crore monthly portable transactions and runs without a hitch in all 36 States and UTs.
- This figure is steadily increasing. Since its introduction in August 2019 in just four states, ONORC has so far logged more than 100 crore portable transactions, including both intra-state and inter-state transactions.
- Numerous other federal departments and state governments currently use the data generated through this method as a tool.
Moving ahead:
- The family-based ONORC/ration card data will be used by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoAFW) to map the beneficiaries.
- Similar to this, the issuance of a distinctive (Aadhaar) number will make it feasible to track a newborn’s nutrition from ICDS centres to PM Poshan and then as a PDS beneficiary. These are merely a few instances; a longer list is not feasible.
- It follows that it is clear that the SMART PDS’s use is not restricted to rationing.
