Ration Card: For several years, the Central Government in India has been implementing various schemes for farmers, women, and people from economically weaker sections, the benefits of which are currently being availed by millions. The government has launched several major initiatives specifically keeping women, the elderly, and students in mind. These schemes provide facilities such as free rations, medical treatment, and gas connections, while also focusing on empowering women to become self-reliant.
Furthermore, under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, the government is providing rations to 800 million people every month. To ensure the continued and effective operation of this initiative, the Cabinet has now approved the extension of the ‘SARTHAK PDS’ scheme, the benefits of which will accrue to poor families.
According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the objective of the SARTHAK PDS scheme is to further strengthen the country’s Public Distribution System—that is, the ration delivery mechanism. To this end, the Central Government has sanctioned a central allocation of ₹25,530 crore. The scheme also proposes three specific changes. Moving forward, the Central Government will assist state governments in transporting food grains from warehouses to ration shops. This measure is expected to bolster the supply chain infrastructure.
Major Relief for Ration Dealers
For a long time, ration shopkeepers had been demanding an increase in their commission rates. The government has now decided to hike its commissions. This move is expected to boost the income of small-scale shopkeepers.
#Cabinet approved continuation of the “Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling-Income with Automation in PDS” (SARTHAK PDS) as an umbrella scheme
3 major elements have been introduced under the scheme:
-Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of… pic.twitter.com/lpHyhQxLv9
— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 27, 2026
Registration via AI
The new scheme will also incorporate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This will facilitate the accurate identification of genuine beneficiaries and help weed out fraudulent beneficiaries from the system.
Discussion on Heatwaves
The meeting also included discussions on rising temperatures and heatwaves across the country. The government has issued directives to the Health and Water Resources departments to take measures to provide relief to the public.
Three Key Changes to be Implemented
Assisting States with Ration Transportation: Announcing a major Cabinet decision, the Union Minister stated that states would receive financial assistance. The government will provide financial aid to state-level agencies to cover the costs of transporting food grains from warehouses to ration shops within their respective states. This initiative will help reduce transportation costs and ensure that food grains reach the poor in a timely manner.
Fair Price Shops: The government will also extend support to ration shops. The Union Minister stated that there had been a long-standing demand for this—one that had previously received insufficient attention—and that ration dealers will now receive assistance in the form of digital equipment, improved storage facilities, and operational support. This initiative is expected to reduce irregularities in the distribution of rations. Furthermore, ration shopkeepers may also receive financial relief.
The third change involves the modernisation of the Public Distribution System (PDS). The government is set to modernise the ration distribution mechanism and transform it into a technology-driven system. This initiative incorporates various tools, such as automation, digital tracking, and online monitoring. Consequently, instances of theft and black marketeering are expected to decline.
