The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved an umbrella programme called SARTHAK-PDS to strengthen food security and improve transparency in welfare distribution. The scheme will require central spending of Rs 25,530 crore over five years through March 2031.
SARTHAK-PDS combines two existing programmes: assistance for intra-state foodgrain movement and fair-price shop margins under the National Food Security Act, plus the SMART PDS technology modernisation scheme. The merged framework seeks to streamline logistics, cut leakages and apply digital tools for better efficiency.
A central goal is sustained funding for transport, handling and dealer margins so that subsidised grain reaches beneficiaries without interruption. Revised central assistance norms were also cleared, while the existing centre-state funding split stays the same.
Technology forms a major part of the plan. The scheme will promote artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing and blockchain to automate processes, enable real-time tracking and support data-driven decisions. AI-based grievance systems and state command centres are planned to speed complaint resolution and raise administrative performance.
The National Food Security Act covers roughly 81.35 crore people. Officials say the new programme will help deliver food and nutritional support more reliably to these beneficiaries.
