The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a major reform package for the public distribution system that will directly affect around 800 million ration beneficiaries across India. The new initiative, called SARTHAK-PDS, will cost approximately Rs 25,530 crore and is aimed at making the ration delivery network more efficient, modern, and transparent.
According to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the scheme introduces three major changes. First, the Centre will provide financial assistance to state governments that have been struggling with the cost of transporting food grains from large Food Corporation of India warehouses to districts, blocks, and eventually ration shops. The government said this support is intended to ease the logistical burden on states and ensure smoother movement of grain through the distribution chain.
Second, the commission paid to ration dealers will be increased. Vaishnaw said dealer commissions had not been raised for a long time despite repeated demands from shop owners. The Cabinet has now accepted that demand, recognizing the role of ration dealers in delivering food grains to millions of households under the public distribution system.
Third, the government plans to use new technology, including artificial intelligence, to modernize the entire ration system. The aim is to strengthen registration, improve monitoring, reduce inefficiencies, and increase transparency in beneficiary management. The government said the updated digital framework will help make the system more accountable and better suited to current needs.
The Cabinet also discussed the ongoing heatwave affecting large parts of the country. Vaishnaw said ministers reviewed Prime Minister Modi’s recent message to the nation and considered what steps different ministries and departments can take within their own responsibilities. The discussions focused on measures to protect citizens during extreme heat, including possible actions in the health sector, water resources management, and related services.
Officials said the government is looking at the heatwave as a national-level challenge that requires coordinated action across departments. The approach, they added, should reflect a “whole-of-nation” effort, with ministries working together to reduce risks and provide relief where possible.
The Cabinet meeting therefore covered both immediate public welfare concerns and long-term administrative reform. On one hand, the SARTHAK-PDS plan is expected to support food distribution for millions of people while improving the earnings of ration dealers and helping states manage delivery costs. On the other hand, the discussion on the heatwave showed the government’s focus on emergency preparedness and inter-ministerial coordination in response to extreme weather conditions.
Overall, the meeting signaled a push toward welfare delivery reforms, digital modernization, and stronger support systems for both beneficiaries and frontline workers in India’s ration network.
