19.79 crore ration cards digitized under the Public Distribution System in India
- Press Information Bureau
- March 27, 2023
The Union Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti stated that the Public Distribution System (PDS) reforms have digitalized all 19.79 crore ration cards issued under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), and all States and UTs have created their own transparency portals for the PDS.
By installing electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices at FPSs for biometric authentication of beneficiaries and electronic capturing of transaction data, nearly 100% automation of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) has also been achieved under Public Distribution System (PDS) reforms, i.e., nearly 5.33 Lakh out of 5.34 Lakh FPSs. This has ensured the proper targeting of NFSA beneficiaries.
After biometric/Aadhaar authentication of beneficiaries, approximately 95% of the allotted foodgrains are delivered across the country through these ePoS devices.
In accordance with the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) of the Government of India, the government has authorised the phased distribution of fortified rice by the year 2024 to all States and Union Territories (UTs). The initiative is planned to be implemented across the nation in the following phases:
Phase I: Coverage of ICDS and PM-POSHAN throughout India by March 2022.
Plan II: Phase I plus TPDS and OWS in all Aspirational and High Burden Districts on stunting (total of 291 districts) by March 2023.
Phase III: Phase II plus the remaining districts of the country by March 2024.
Currently, 27 states/UTs are distributing fortified rice through TPDS. About 95.72 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of fortified rice have been supplied through TPDS as of March 5, 2023. Almost all Fair Price Shops (FPSs) have an electronic point-of-sale (e-PoS) gadget for the Aadhaar-authenticated distribution of food grains to National Food Security Act beneficiaries (NFSA).
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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