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Cabinet approves integration and continuation of two schemes under umbrella scheme SARTHAK-PDS

Published By : Admin | May 27, 2026 | 14:53 IST
Centre to spend Rs. 25,530 crore in next 5 years for SARTHAK PDS
Continuation of schemes to ensure last-mile delivery of Food grains with higher FPS Dealers’ commission
Government strive for intelligently optimized PDS operations through advanced technologies to ensure transparency, security and sustainability in PDS operations

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of the “Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling-Income with Automation in PDS” (SARTHAK PDS) as an umbrella scheme, in the 16th Finance Commission cycle award period, with an outlay of Rs. 25,530 crore as Central share.

The CCEA has also decided to revise the norms of Central assistance for meeting expenditure incurred by States/UTs intra-state movement & handling of foodgrains and FPS dealers’ margin and continuation of the existing funding pattern of Central Assistance.

The Scheme is conceived as an umbrella scheme integrating the ongoing schemes: (i) “Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of foodgrains and FPS dealers’ margin under NFSA” and (ii) “Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART PDS)” to comprehensively strengthen implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).

SARTHAK-PDS Scheme aims to provide (a) assured financial support for intra-State movement, handling and FPS dealer’s margin, and (b) a unified, citizen-centric, intelligent and interoperable PDS architecture that ensures last-mile service delivery, minimizes leakages and strengthens the nation’s commitment to food security under NFSA, with the merged scheme to operate up to 31.03.2031.

SARTHAK-PDS Scheme seeks to modernize, integrate and intelligently optimize PDS operations through advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Blockchain, by creating standardized architectures and unified databases for real-time monitoring, AI-driven grievance and analytics systems, State Command Control Centres for data-driven oversight, and ISO-certified process frameworks to ensure transparency, security and sustainability in PDS operations.

Government of India has a social & legal commitment to the people of the nation - a dignified life by ensuring them access to food and nutritional security through the availability of adequate quantities of quality food grains. The Scheme will work towards fulfilling the Government of India's commitment to 81.35 crore persons covered under NFSA. Building on the statutory and policy framework, SARTHAK-PDS retains and streamlines the financial assistance component while simultaneously embedding it within a modern, technology-driven PDS ecosystem.

Over the past decade, the Government has implemented multiple digitization initiatives such as End-to-End Computerization of TPDS, Integrated Management of PDS (IM-PDS) and SMART PDS, along with citizen-facing applications like Mera Ration, Anna Mitra, Rightful Targeting Dashboard and Anna Sahayata, and since 1st April 2023, the SMART PDS scheme has acted as the cornerstone of technology-led reforms by enabling complete digitization of ration cards, Aadhaar seeding, FPS automation through e-PoS, online allocation and computerized supply-chain management across 36 States/UTs.

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Prime Minister urges citizens to take precautions amid soaring temperatures across India
May 27, 2026
Prime Minister calls for vigilance, hydration and care for vulnerable people during heatwave
Prime Minister appeals to citizens to help birds, animals and those affected by extreme heat

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has urged citizens across the country to take all possible precautions amid soaring temperatures being witnessed in different parts of India.

Shri Modi urged people to stay hydrated, carry water while stepping out and extend help to others by offering them water during the harsh weather conditions.

The Prime Minister also advised people to remain alert to signs of heat exhaustion such as dizziness, nausea and extreme fatigue. He urged citizens to immediately help anyone feeling unwell, weak or suffering from headaches by moving them to a cool and shaded place and ensuring availability of water and ORS.

Shri Modi noted that children, elderly people and those working outdoors are especially vulnerable during extreme heat and cautioned that ignoring warning signs may lead to heatstroke.

Shri Modi also called upon people to regularly check on elderly parents, grandparents and loved ones during the heatwave and remind them to stay hydrated, avoid stepping out during peak afternoon hours and take adequate rest.

Emphasising compassion during extreme weather conditions, the Prime Minister appealed to citizens to keep bowls of water outside homes, balconies, terraces, shops and offices for birds and animals.

In a series of X posts, Shri Modi said;

“Different parts of India are witnessing soaring temperatures and the challenges that come with it. This heat is harsh on all of us and I urge you all to take as many precautions as possible. Please stay hydrated, keep water with you when stepping out. Offer a glass of water to others. In weather like this, such kindness goes a long way.”

“Watch for signs of heat exhaustion like dizziness, nausea or extreme fatigue. If someone around you feels unusually unwell, weak or develops a headache, it is best to help move them to a cool and shaded place immediately. Ensure they get water, ORS etc. that helps them. Children, the elderly and those working outdoors are especially vulnerable during extreme heat. Ignoring these warning signs can quickly turn dangerous and may even lead to heatstroke. In such weather, timely care and attention go a long way.”

“Whenever possible, call and check on elderly parents, grandparents and loved ones during this heatwave. Remind them to stay hydrated, avoid stepping out in peak afternoon hours and take rest whenever possible.”

“In this extreme heat, let us also remember the birds and animals around us. A small bowl of water kept outside your home, balconies, terraces, shops or offices can become a lifeline for a thirsty bird. May compassion guide us in these difficult days.”

“देश के अलग-अलग हिस्सों में तापमान लगातार बढ़ रहा है और इसके साथ ही दैनिक जीवन में गर्मी से होने वाली कई कठिनाइयां भी बढ़ रही हैं। मैं सभी देशवासियों से आग्रह करता हूं कि जितनी अधिक सावधानी बरत सकें, अवश्य बरतें। कृपया स्वयं को हाइड्रेटेड रखें, घर से बाहर निकलते समय पानी साथ रखें। ऐसे मौसम में आपकी संवेदनशीलता भी बहुत बड़ा सहारा बन जाती है। यदि संभव हो, तो किसी प्यासे व्यक्ति को एक गिलास पानी अवश्य दें। मैं ऐसे लोगों की सराहना भी करूँगा जो अपने घरों के और दुकानों के बाहर मटके में जल रखते हैं ताकि कोई भी उनसे पानी पी सके।”

“अत्यधिक गर्मी से होने वाली परेशानी, जैसे चक्कर आना, मतली या ज्यादा थकान लगे तो उसे बिल्कुल भी नजरअंदाज न करें। यदि आपके आसपास किसी व्यक्ति को अचानक बेहोशी जैसा लगे, कमजोरी महसूस करे या फिर अस्वस्थ दिखाई दे, तो उसे तुरंत किसी ठंडी और छायादार जगह पर ले जाएं। उसे पानी, ORS या अन्य तरल पदार्थ दें, जिससे शरीर को राहत मिल सके। बच्चे, बुज़ुर्ग और धूप में काम करने वाले लोग इस भीषण गर्मी में सबसे अधिक प्रभावित होते हैं। समय रहते ध्यान न देने पर यह स्थिति हीटस्ट्रोक जैसी गंभीर समस्या का रूप ले सकती है। ऐसे समय में आपकी सतर्कता और देखभाल किसी का जीवन बचा सकती है।”

“जब भी संभव हो, अपने माता-पिता, दादा-दादी, नाना-नानी और अन्य प्रियजनों को फोन कर उनका हालचाल अवश्य पूछें। उन्हें पर्याप्त पानी पीने, दोपहर की तेज धूप में बाहर न निकलने और जितना हो सके, आराम करने की सलाह दें।”

“इस प्रचंड गर्मी में हमें अपने आसपास के पशु-पक्षियों को भी नहीं भूलना चाहिए। अपने घर, बालकनी, छत, दुकान या ऑफिस के बाहर पानी से भरा एक छोटा-सा बर्तन रखना भी किसी प्यासे पक्षी के लिए जीवनदान बन सकता है। आइए, इन कठिन दिनों में पूरी संवेदनशीलता और करुणा के साथ एक-दूसरे का ध्यान रखें।”