India's Food Security Strengthened in 100 Days

New Delhi- The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has taken significant steps to strengthen India's food security in the first 100 days of the new government. This progress is outlined in the department's efforts to digitalize operations, modernize storage and streamline logistics in PDS, transform 60 Fair Price Shops (FPSs) into Jan Poshan Kendras (JPK) and improve institutional strengthening of organizations under DFPD.

The digitalization of DFPD operations is one of the key steps in improving food security by enhancing efficiency and transparency in the supply chain. The department has launched a pilot program to transform 60 FPSs into JPKs on August 20, 2024. These JPKs will offer non-PDS commodities at competitive prices to beneficiaries. The pilot is aimed at bridging the nutritional gaps among beneficiaries while providing additional revenue streams to the FPS dealers.

Another significant achievement of DFPD in the first 100 days has been the launch of the Mera Ration 2.0 application on August 20, 2024. This application provides real-time information to PMGKAY beneficiaries on their entitlements, withdrawals, nearest FPS, and other related features. It provides a suite of newer value-added features for seamless and user-centric experience. More than one crore downloads have already been recorded.

The DFPD has also taken steps to improve the operational efficiency of its supply chain by developing a route optimization strategy. Route optimization study of PDS supply chain is being undertaken to reduce the distance, and it has already resulted in annual savings of Rs. 112 crores by 13 states. The department has also taken steps to strengthen the institutional structure of its organization by approving a credit guarantee scheme (CGS-NPF) to provide farmers and traders with confidence to extend pledge finance against electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWRs). This scheme is expected to improve trust on warehousemen and enable them to access finance from e-NWRs.

The above achievements represent a significant step in strengthening India's food security and improving the efficiency and transparency of the food supply chain. The policies and initiatives outlined in the report are expected to have a positive impact on the lives of millions of people living in the country.