The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the ‘SARTHAK-PDS’ (Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling-Income with Automation in PDS) umbrella scheme with a central outlay of ₹25,530 crore.
The program will be implemented for 5 years from April 2026 to March 2031, aiming to modernize the food subsidy network and benefit citizens covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
The scheme integrates two legacy programs: the ‘Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of foodgrains and Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers' margin under NFSA’ and the ‘Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART PDS)’. This integration aims to reduce leakages and streamline operations.