Lok Sabha Question No. 1497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Smart-PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Shyamkumar Daulat Barve, Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne, Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1497 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST JULY, 2024

## SMART-PDS

t 1497 SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU  JADHAV SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

SHRI SHYAMKUM AR DAULAT BARVE

SHRI SHRIRANG APP A  CHANDU  B ARNE:

Will  the Minister of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUtION  andm mId, wr 3itMgfi% fiTrvr ++t be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union  Government has launched any scheme for  modernization and improvement through technology in the Public Distribution System (Smart-PDS) to prevent  foodgrain  pilferage and increase the efficiency of the distribution chain;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof and the date on which  it was implemented;
- (C) the names of the States which  have signed the MoU  to be part of the said scheme; and
- (d) the extent to  which  this scheme is capable  of  preventing food  pilfert'.ge and increasing the efficiency  of the distribution chain?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA )

(a) &  (b): This Department is implementing  the new Centrally  Sponsored Scheme (CSS) 'Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS)' for  the  development &  implementation of  advanced  integrated  supply  chain  software in  States/UTs. Under this  scheme, provisions  have  been made to replace existing  servers/ data centers by  leveraging cloud infrastructure,

The above scheme envisages to strengthen the technology infrastructure in Public Distribution System (PDS) which  will  lead the technology driven reforms and transformative change in  the entire PDS ecosystem covering NFS A  and State schemes. Thus, SMART-PDS is launched to  sustain the Information Technology-led Reforms to be brought in the functioning of Public Distribution System (PDS) Operations by overcoming the state level technological limitations of  PDS operations in  all States/Us  in  respect of  IT  Hardware, Software, Technical Manpower and to  institutionalize an integrated Central System covering all  PDS related operations across all  States/UTs.  The scheme is being implemented in  collaboration with  all  States/urs, with  a total cost of  Rs. 349.9 crore for a period of 3 years from FY 2023-24 to 2025-26

- (C): Department has signed MoU  with  35 States/UTs (except Tamil  Nadu)  so far the above scheme

(d): Under  the scheme, 99.8% Ration Cards are seeded with  Aadhaar number at national  level. Due to installation of ePoS devices at the FPSs, at present, around 98% of transactions  in the country are being done through biometric authentication on  the  monthly basis, bringing transparency  and efficiency in  the  system.

By  creating ICT-enabled system under SMART-PDS, it  shall improve efficiency of  public delivery,  enhanced reach to beneficiaries  and timely  delivering  the public  services in  more transparent manner. These approaches improve delivery through (i) improving the quality of information, (ii) reducing complexity (iii)  making access more convenient and simpler,

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