Central government’s focus to reform the Public Distribution System (PDS) has led to removal of 5.8 Crore ration cards from PDS system. This success was achieved through Indian government’s push to digitisation, transparency, and efficient distribution mechanisms. These efforts have resulted in substantial reductions in leakages and enhanced targeting, said the Union Food Ministry on Wednesday.

Announcing the success of digitisation drive, Union Food Ministry said, “Through digitisation, rightful targeting, and supply chain innovations, the Government of India has set a global benchmark for state sponsored food security initiatives. The actions by Government of India underscore its commitment to plug leakages in the system and minimise inefficiency.”

The Ministry informed that the Department of Food and Public Distribution has computerised entire distribution process covering all 20.4 Crore household ration cards covering entire 80.6 Crore beneficiaries. These ration cards have been digitised along with 99.8% of ration cards and 98.7% individual beneficiaries being Aadhaar-seeded.

It added, “Digitalisation and Aadhaar seeding have led to de-duplication of ration cards and approx. 5.8 Cr ration cards have been removed from PDS system, ensuring only eligible persons are included in PMGKAY/NFSA.”

Notably, Aadhaar authentication is used for distributing approx. 98% of total food grains currently. It has reduced leakages to ineligible beneficiaries and mitigated risk of pilferage.

It further added that the Department has taken extensive steps for ensuring rightful targeting through process of eKYC which validates identities of beneficiaries with their Aadhaar credentials and ration card details leading to exclusion of ineligible beneficiaries.

“As of today, 64% of all PDS beneficiaries have completed their eKYC and the process is in full swing to complete eKYC for remaining beneficiaries. For convenience of beneficiaries, the department has facilitated eKYC of beneficiary at any Fair Price Shop (ration shop) across the country,” said the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.

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