In India, the Public Distribution System (PDS) has been instrumental in providing food security to millions of vulnerable households. However, the system has been plagued with various challenges, including leakages, inefficient delivery of welfare schemes, and state-level technological limitations. To address these issues, the Department of Food and Public Distribution launched the Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS).
What is SMART-PDS?
SMART-PDS is a technology-driven initiative aimed at modernizing the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Under this scheme, smart ration cards are issued to beneficiaries of the PDS, which can be used for verification. The beneficiaries place their fingerprint over a fingerprint scanner to double-check their identity. The scheme aims to use information about beneficiaries, their food security needs, and patterns of migration to ensure the availability of essential rations for migrants.
Significance and Benefits
Preventing leakage and increasing efficiency: One of the primary objectives of the SMART-PDS scheme is to prevent leakage of food grains and increase the efficiency of the distribution chain. This will help in ensuring that the benefits of the welfare schemes reach the intended beneficiaries.
Standardization of PDS operations: The Centre plans to use data analytics and other ICT tools to standardize the PDS operation. This will lead to the integration of the PDS with other entities such as FCI, CWC, transport supply chain of rail and road, Ministry of Education, Women and Child Development, and UIDAI.
Overcoming state-level limitations: Technology-led reforms are expected to overcome the state-level technological limitations of PDS operations. This will also institutionalize an integrated central system for all PDS-related operations across all states/UTs.
Implementation of One Nation One Ration Card: SMART-PDS can also help in the implementation of One Nation One Ration Card, which aims to create a national-level data repository of beneficiaries, the creation of integrated data infrastructure across ration card management, allocation, supply chain of foodgrains, and FPS automation among Centre and all states.
Why In News
which is an innovative system that issues smart ration cards to beneficiaries of the public distribution system. Through the use of technology, SMART-PDS aims to modernize and reform the existing system, prevent leakage of food grains, ensure the availability of essential rations for migrants, and efficiently deliver welfare schemes to the most vulnerable sections of society.
MCQs about Implementing One Nation One Ration Card with SMART-PDS
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What is the SMART-PDS scheme?
A. A technology-driven initiative to modernize the Public Distribution System
B. A program to distribute free smartphones to beneficiaries
C. A government scheme to improve the education system
D. An initiative to reduce air pollution in urban areas
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What is the objective of the SMART-PDS scheme?
A. To prevent leakage of food grains and increase the efficiency of the distribution chain
B. To distribute free laptops to beneficiaries
C. To provide free healthcare services to the public
D. To promote the use of electric vehicles
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What is the significance of the SMART-PDS scheme?
A. It can help overcome state-level technological limitations of PDS operations
B. It can create a national-level data repository of beneficiaries
C. It can standardize PDS operations across all states/UTs
D. All of the above
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