Chandigarh: With a view to emphasize the significance and further streamlining of the Public Distribution System (PDS) a seminar was held today at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) in Sector 26 here today.
Keeping the focus on PDS: Reforms, Transparency, Technology and Portability, various speakers offered their valuable insights to make the PDS more robust for the benefit of the beneficiaries.
Sharing her insights, the Additional Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar gave an overview of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
Divulging more, Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar averted that distribution of ration to the beneficiaries under the NFSA is being undertaken on Quarterly basis since 2023. Also, 39,74,000 ration cards stand covered under the NFSA with the number of beneficiaries coming to 1.36 Crores. There is 100 percent seeding of ration cards with the Aadhar. There are 14450 Fair Price Shops (FPS) which distribute foodgrains to the beneficiaries.
As far as e-KYC is concerned, the process has been completed in respect of 1.35 Crore beneficiaries from June 2024 to June 2026. As regards Meri Rasoi scheme, in the Month of May 2026 approximately 36.72 Lakh kits have been distributed. For the second quarter from July to September 2026 distribution has commenced on August 8th 2026.
Dr. Kiran Bains from the PAU Ludhiana said that ensuring safe & hygenic conditions while preparing food is absolutely necessary apart from spreading awareness on nutritious foods.
