Centre to digitise PDS to stem corruption

 In order to curb corruption, the Centre is planning to monitor the public distribution system (PDS) in the country through digital means.

Talking to TSI on Tuesday, Union minister of state for food and civil supplies KV Thomas said, “Government is planning to introduce a satellite monitoring system of food grains from FCI godowns to ration shops which will help a lot to curb the corruption in this system. The project is in final stage and will introduce soon.”

The government plans to track the transport of food grains through satellite and putting the storage areas under CCTV surveillance etc.

The government's decision comes in the wake of widespread corruption in the public distribution system. According to reports, millions of tonnes food grains are lost or stolen during transit from Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns to the ration shops.

The food security bill seeks to cover up to 75 percent of the country's rural population and 50 percent of urban households. The bill proposes the right to 7 kg of food grain per person, at Rs.3 per kg for rice, Rs.2 per kg for wheat and Rs.1 per kg for coarse grains, to the priority Below Poverty Line (BPL) beneficiaries.


Meanwhile, the food ministry also plans to revamp the FCI and is likely to announce a new policy in next two weeks.

The government fears that corruption in FCI would slowdown the implementation of food security act.

FCI is the government's nodal agency for the distribution of foodgrain through the public distribution system.

The minister K V Thomas further said he is looking into several study reports, submitted by government and other agencies, to restructure the FCI.

Thomas also said the FCI can not be allowed to run in the present manner as it has a larger role to play in the implementation of food security programme.