-The Indian Express
Even as the UPA government struggles to bridge differences between key UPA constituents on the need to usher in the Food Security Act — with cost of implementing it and revamping the Public Distribution System (PDS) being two key issues that are causing anxiety — the Centre has fast-tracked the drive to reform the corruption-ridden and shoddy PDS.
The PMO is learnt to have decided to personally monitor the progress of the scheme to computerise the PDS network in the states and Union territories — a step that would go a long way in bringing down the cost of the proposed Act.
Sources said that a team from the PMO held a meeting last week to take stock of the progress made by states in reforming the PDS. The Centre has asked the states and UTs to complete computerisation of PDS by March 2013.
Among other things that the states and UTs are being asked to do by the same time are starting SMS/email alert service about foodgrains availability at fair price shops (FPS), facilitating social audit of FPS functioning, developing a “transparency portal” to provide information and data about PDS, set up a toll-free call centre to monitor complaints, and digitisation of PDS beneficiary database.
“The aim is to ensure near-zero pilferage of foodgrains meant for the FPS and making sure that all registered ration card-holders get the promised foodgrains on time,” said Dr B C Gupta, Secretary, Union Ministry of Food and Public Distribution.
Data accessed by The Indian Express shows that two opposition-ruled states — Gujarat and Chhattisgarh — are leading the way in addressing concerns over inefficient and corrupt PDS. In fact, the Narendra Modi government may have actually shown the way how to streamline the PDS by completely computerising it, and plugging pilferage routes by introducing biometric-based bar-coded coupon system of PDS delivery.
The Raman Singh government has almost completely ended pilferage of foodgrains meant to be sold at FPS by putting in place a system of monitoring the physical movement of foodgrains by using global positioning system on trucks carrying them.
After the Centre asked the state governments to send initiatives taken by them to computerise PDS and check pilferage of foodgrains, out of 35 states and UTs, 28 sent detailed programme along with the time-line. Among the states that have not sent the scheme are Punjab, Goa, Assam and Jharkhand.