Cabinet okays Rs 25,530 crore outlay to extend, modernise SARTHAK-PDS scheme till 2031

देश के हर जरूरतमंद तक पीडीएस के माध्यम से समय पर खाद्यान्न पहुंचे, इसके लिए हमारी सरकार प्रतिबद्ध है। इसी दिशा में सार्थक पीडीएस को ज्यादा आधुनिक और प्रभावी बनाकर जारी रखने का फैसला किया गया है। इससे पीडीएस से होने वाली डिलिवरी, लॉजिस्टिक्स और ट्रांसपोर्टेशन व्यवस्था अधिक…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 27, 2026

The Cabinet has also approved revised norms for Central assistance to states and union territories towards intra-state transportation and handling of foodgrains. It has also revised the norms of margins for fair price shop (FPS) dealers, while keeping the existing funding structure unchanged.

Under the new SARTHAK-PDS framework, two existing schemes — financial support for intra-state movement of foodgrains and FPS dealer margins under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), and the SMART PDS programme focused on technology reforms — have been merged. By merging the two initiatives, the government aims to create a single administrative structure for improving foodgrain distribution and strengthening implementation of the NFSA.

Addressing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the approved scheme covers every stage of the public distribution network, from identifying beneficiaries to transporting foodgrains and gathering citizen feedback.

Cabinet Briefing by Union Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw https://t.co/JObtd4VXAF

— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) May 27, 2026

“Right from selection of beneficiaries to movement of foodgrains, to getting proactive feedback from citizens, to reducing transportation distance — all those activities have been approved with an outlay of Rs 25,530 crore for five years,” Vaishnaw said, according to a PTI report.

He said several state governments had been struggling to meet the cost of transporting foodgrains to ration shops and added that the new scheme would support those expenses while also improving remuneration for FPS dealers.

SARTHAK-PDS to focus on logistics, grievance redressal and last-mile delivery

The government said the scheme is intended to modernise the existing public distribution system instead of replacing it. The reforms are expected to address issues linked to logistics, handling of foodgrains, transportation efficiency and grievance redressal mechanisms.

SARTHAK-PDS has been structured around two objectives — ensuring continuous financial support for foodgrain movement and dealer margins, while building an integrated and citizen-oriented PDS network with interoperable systems across states and union territories.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addresses media after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. (Screenshot from live broadcast enhanced using AI)

The Centre said the proposed reforms are aimed at improving last-mile delivery of subsidised foodgrains and reducing leakages within the distribution chain.

AI, blockchain and real-time monitoring part of food distribution overhaul

A major component of the scheme involves the use of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Blockchain to streamline operations in the public distribution system.

Under the approved plan, the government intends to create unified databases and standardised digital architecture for real-time monitoring of the PDS network. The scheme also proposes AI-enabled analytics and grievance redressal systems along with State Command Control Centres for monitoring operations through data-based oversight.

According to the government, ISO-certified process frameworks will be introduced to strengthen transparency, security standards and operational sustainability within the system.

NFSA beneficiaries and earlier digital reforms form backbone of SARTHAK-PDS

The government said the programme is linked to its commitment under the National Food Security Act, which currently covers 81.35 crore beneficiaries.

“The government has a commitment to the people of the nation — a dignified life by ensuring access to food and nutritional security through the availability of adequate quantities of quality foodgrains,” the government said in a statement quoted by PTI.