UID Chief Nandan Nilekani has formulated a task force that aims at giving grocery to the underprivileged at subsidised rates as middlemen across the nation claim a major share. By April 2012 he also aims at setting up a public distribution system network.
WHILE THE UPA government chalks out a plan of action for the food security legislation, Unique Identification Authority chief Nandan Nilekani has thought a step forward. A taskforce helmed by Nilekani has made suggestions for complete computerisation of public distribution system (PDS) so keep a check on food pilferage.
In its report, the taskforce highlighted the main problems by which the main beneficiaries get affected. Some regions he pointed out included wholesale problems such as large-scale pilferage and diversion, duplicates and ghost beneficiaries, wrongful exclusion and inclusion, as reported by The Times of India.
In order to let the beneficiaries gain the maximum, if the taskforce’s suggestions are implemented, then the former will have a choice between purchasing goods from their preferred locations or get monetary allocations. If a consumer chooses going to the location, then the beneficiary can purchase any commodity in convenient quantity and in flexible instalments.
In the meantime, Nilekani has devised a two phase strategy, which will also look at creating a public distribution system network by April 2012. However, the pilot run is expected to run only from December 2012. For a smoother functioning of the PDS, the first stage will concentrate at the improvisation of the supply chain; whereas, the second stage will focus on the transfers.
After the food security act comes into effect, more than 18 crore households will benefit from the 4.62 lakh fair price shops (FPS) across the country with a spending up to Rs. 30,000 crore.
