The Centre has convened a two-day conference of States here from Monday to discuss reforms in the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and ‘best practices' in the PDS for universal replication. Reforms of the TPDS are a long standing demand to prevent diversion of subsidised foodgrains meant for the poor.
On the occasion, Food Minister Sharad Pawar will launch a pilot scheme on smart card-based delivery of essential commodities. This will enable registered ration cardholders in Haryana and Chandigarh to avail themselves of essential commodities from ration shops on the basis of biometric smart cards and prevent diversion of their quota of foodgrains.
The conference will discuss the need to review the identification of PDS beneficiaries to avoid inclusion and exclusion of errors, ensure timely distribution of essential commodities.
