Union Cabinet approved the Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling–Income with Automation in PDS

Union Cabinet approved the Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling–Income with Automation in PDS

¨     Union Cabinet approved the Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling–Income with Automation in PDS (SARTHAK-PDS) on 27 May 2026.

¨     The scheme has a central outlay of ₹25,530 crore.

¨     It will be implemented from April 2026 to March 2031.

¨     The Public Distribution System (PDS) is India’s food subsidy distribution network for essential commodities, particularly food grains.

¨     The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 covers nearly 80 crore beneficiaries through subsidized food grain distribution.

¨     SARTHAK-PDS integrates two existing schemes into a single framework:

¨     Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of food grains and Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers’ margins under the NFSA.

¨     SMART-PDS (Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System).

¨     The scheme provides financial support for the intra-State transportation and handling of food grains.

¨     It also offers enhanced margins for Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers.

¨     FPS dealers form the last-mile distribution network under the Public Distribution System.

¨     SARTHAK-PDS incorporates advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Blockchain.