PSFC Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma Advocates Bio-Fortification for Nutritional Security; Calls Ground Feedback Bedrock for Future PDS Reforms
Technology, Transpafency, Reforms & Nutrition under sharp focus in two seminars at MGSIPA
Chandigarh, September 7:
With a view to emphasize the significance and further streamlining of the Public Distribution System (PDS) a seminar was held today at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) in Sector 26 here today.
Keeping the focus on PDS: Reforms, Transparency, Technology and Portability, various speakers offered their valuable insights to make the PDS more robust for the benefit of the beneficiaries.
Leading the discussion, the Chairman Punjab State Food Commission (PSFC) Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma said that the ascertaining ground level feedback with regard to the PDS is of huge importance as it is necessary for a comprehensive review of the mechanism. He also called for ensuring the necessary action on the feedback for futuristic improvements. Lauding the field team of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, the Chairman also described the Anganwari workers and Mid day meal workers as important part of the Public Distribution System.
Sharing her insights, the Additional Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar gave an overview of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. The Additional Director also briefed about the Antyodya Ann Yojana (AAN) and Priority Household (PHH) schemes in which the beneficiaries receive 5 Kg Per Person Per Month Wheat in Priority Household scheme while under Antyodya Ann Yojana each beneficiary family gets 35 Kg wheat per month.
Divulging more, Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar averted that distribution of ration to the beneficiaries under the NFSA is being undertaken on Quarterly basis since 2023. Also, 39,74,000 ration cards stand covered under the NFSA with the number of beneficiaries coming to 1.36 Crores. There is 100 percent seeding of ration cards with the Aadhar. There are 14450 Fair Price Shops (FPS) which distribute foodgrains to the beneficiaries.
About reforms of digital as well as technological nature undertaken by the Department, the Additional Director added that the Ration Card Management System has been put in place effectively apart from the Aadhar enabled PDS, a portal called FEAST which oversees supply chain management of foodgrains from Mandis to Godowns and further to Fair Price Shops. Hundred percent biometric authentication,with e-PoS machines, is undertaken for Wheat distribution. Now, e-KYC has been made mandatory for fresh ration cards.
As far as e-KYC is concerned, the process has been completed in respect of 1.35 Crore beneficiaries from June 2024 to June 2026.
As regards Meri Rasoi scheme, in the Month of May 2026 approximately 36.72 Lakh kits have been distributed. For the second quarter from July to September 2026 distribution has commenced on August 8th 2026. Notably, the kit contains two kilograms of lentils, two kilograms of sugar, one kilogram of salt, 200 grams of turmeric powder, and one litre of mustard oil for monthly consumption.
The PSFC Members Chetan Parkash Dhaliwal and Vijay Dutt shared their experiences from the field visits. Another Member of the PSFC Jasvir Singh Sekhon outlined the social impact of the PDS on the people.
In response to a suggestion from Mr. Vijay Dutt about having a centralized control and command center of the commission at MGSIPA office to have a direct interface with the beneficiaries of PDS to know their feedback, the Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Mr. Rahul Tiwari expressed complete agreement and even emphasized an IVR System installation with SMS facility to reach out to the beneficiaries.
The Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma while appreciating the yeoman’s service rendered by the PSFC in strengthening nutritional security, said that main motive for constituting the PSFC was having an independent feedback.
On the occasion, J.S. Bedi from IDC Chandigarh and Dr. Satish Verma praised the digitization initiatives in PDS and advocates monitoring of ground level activity besides going in for multi departmental coordination for a hassle free distribution process under the PDS.
The Depot Holders doing good work were also given appreciation certificates.
In the 2nd session on the theme ‘Promoting Nutrition in Government Sponsored Schemes’, the Chairman PSFC said that the nutritional aspect assumes all the more significance in respect of children between 0-3 Year age group and Lactating Mothers. Sharing insights from his recent visit abroad, the Chairman disclosed that he visited McGill University in Montreal to interact with experts there. He argued in favour of bio fortification.
The Director Government Food Lab Ravneet Kaur emphasized the need to ensure nutritious food for children in a proper way and at a proper time.
Advocating Quality Assurance, Dr. Ajit Kaur Dua from PBTI underscored the importance of adding variety in food besides having proteins in Abundance.
Dr. Kiran Bains from the PAU Ludhiana said that ensuring safe & hygenic conditions while preparing food is absolutely necessary apart from spreading awareness on nutritious foods.
