Smart PDS to be rolled out soon; Centre to control ration distribution in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Control over ration distribution in Kerala is set to pass to the Centre with the rollout of Smart PDS (Public Distribution System), part of the One Nation One Ration Card scheme. The state signed a memorandum of understanding for the project in 2024. Central approval will be required for the distribution of ration cards and the identification of priority beneficiaries. Ineligible beneficiaries will be removed, while the distribution system is expected to become more efficient.

The Centre will take over almost the entire responsibility of the state's Civil Supplies Department. Details of ration card members in Kerala have already been transferred to the National Informatics Centre's server. The Centre has directed that the project be implemented urgently in one district before being extended across the state.

Smart PDS will integrate the distribution of ration from godowns to ration shops, route mapping and surveillance camera systems. With the monitoring mechanism in place, the Centre will be able to increase or reduce foodgrain allocations according to demand.

Priority cards cannot be issued at the state's discretion

Priority ration cards cannot be issued according to the state's preferences. At present, when a family is removed from the priority list, the state issues a card to a new applicant. This will not be possible once Smart PDS is implemented.

The Centre will verify Aadhaar details and remove ineligible beneficiaries from the priority list. At the end of July, the state had issued priority ration cards to an additional 73,024 families.

Priority cards — yellow and pink — are eligible for free ration.

No scope for under-weighing

Smart PDS will prevent irregularities in the quantity of ration supplied by linking electronic point-of-sale (e-PoS) machines with weighing scales.

The project has a total cost of Rs 349.9 crore, of which 60% will be borne by the Centre.

Total ration cards: 95,94,988

AAY cards (yellow): 5.95 lakh

PHH cards (pink): 35.79 lakh

The state has some concerns regarding Smart PDS. We will hold discussions with the Union Minister.

— Anoop Jacob, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies