PDS revamp on Cabinet agenda today

An ambitious plan to computerise the complex public distribution system network to facilitate smooth and hurdle-free rollout of the food guarantee law — a promise made in the Congress election manifesto — is set to come before the Union Cabinet on Thursday.

Once implemented, consumers will be able to get SMS and e-mail alerts of foodgrain availability at the ration shops.

The first stage of "end-to-end computerisation of targeted public distribution system operations" envisages digitisation of all ration cards, computerisation of supply chain management and setting up of a transparency portal. The second phase would see automation of ration shops. The whole process would be implemented leveraging the UID platform. The attempt, sources said, is to curb leakages in the system. By government estimates, PDS computerisation would help it save about Rs 10,000 crore of food subsidy. This assumes significance given that food subsidy has increased from Rs 17,500 crore in 2001 to Rs 72,500 crore in 2011-12. The scheme is estimated to cost Rs 4,300 crore.

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