Jaipur – In a major initiative aimed at strengthening the public distribution system (PDS) and enhancing community welfare, the state government has announced the transformation of 5,000 fair price shops into Annapurna Bhandars. The decision, part of this year’s budget commitments, was confirmed by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sumit Godara in the state assembly on Tuesday. The move is expected to benefit local communities while boosting the revenue of shop operators managing these outlets.
Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in PDS
During the Question Hour, Minister Godara addressed concerns regarding the initiative, assuring the assembly that regular inspections of fair price shops are conducted to prevent irregularities in the public distribution system. He emphasized that in cases of violations, the department will take strict action, including the suspension or cancellation of licenses, to uphold transparency and accountability.
Smart PDS: Modernizing the Public Distribution System
Responding to an inquiry by MLA Deepti Kiran Maheshwari, the minister outlined the Smart PDS (Public Distribution System Modernization and Reform Initiative), launched by the central government in April 2023 and set to continue until March 2026. The initiative focuses on:
- Ration card management and de-duplication
- Supply chain optimization
- Automation of Fair Price Shops (FPS)
- Data authentication and analytics
- Portability of ration cards
Statewide Digital Integration of Fair Price Shops
The minister further highlighted that 25,527 fair price shops across Rajasthan have undergone digital integration, equipping them with Electronic Point of Sale (e-POS) machines, iris scanners, and electronic weighing machines. This modernization ensures transparent and efficient distribution of essential commodities to 1,06,34,518 ration cardholders and 4,39,08,363 beneficiaries every month. The use of biometric authentication has significantly minimized fraudulent activities in the system.
While 41 districts across the state are now fully integrated into this initiative, four fair price shops continue to function offline due to network limitations. These include:
- Two shops in Bilkhadadang (Baran district)
- One shop in Mothdi (Barmer district)
- One shop in Chind (Kotputli-Behror district)
A Landmark Step Towards Food Security and Efficiency
This large-scale modernization of Rajasthan’s PDS is a significant step towards improving efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in food distribution. By expanding digital infrastructure and introducing Annapurna Bhandars, the government aims to ensure food security for millions of residents, while simultaneously enhancing the operational viability of fair price shops across the state.
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