PDS to get a face lift

New Delhi: The meet of state food secretaries held here on Tuesday have decided to renew the Public Distribution System in state with help of technology. Ration cards will be converted to smart cards through computerization. The other major recommendations put forward by the centre is the construction of food godowns with private participation. Minister of Agriculture, Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution , Sharad Pawar said that while implementing food security project the main challenge before the government is storage of food grains. And for that food go downs must be constructed with private backing in war footing. The recommendations made in the meet will be recognized by the food security committee meet on Wednesday. Rs 4000 crore would be need for the construction of more go downs. As the coast is high which can't be offered by centre and state governments, private participation needed. Pawar said that FCI can undertake godown for rent for long term. Smart cards will be implemented in Hariyana and Chandigarh in the first phase. In Kerala it will be implemented in the second phase and the card will carry all information including the blood groups. To make the ration shops profitable, e-ticket and loan services will be implement. The other important directions include GPS system to monitor food grains vehicle, SMS alert , CCTV cameras in rations shops and call centers for complaint readressal etc. there will be facility to file complaint via online.





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