Tripura asked to expedite digitization of PDS to check fraud
Agartala, April 23: The Union government has asked the northeastern states to expedite the computerisation of the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure greater efficiency and transparency, and to check large-scale fraud.
"After the digitisation of ration cards and computerisation of PDS, transparency and performance of the government-sponsored food supply system will improve and various fraudulent acts and falsification will be curbed," says Union Food and Public Distribution Department Director, D.K. Gupta
He said: "After full operationalisation of the computerised PDS and digitisation of ration cards, infiltrators and fake beneficiaries will not be able to benefit from PDS. Infiltration of people in the northeastern region from across the borders is a major issue."
India's northeastern region, comprising eight states and home to 45.58 million people (2011 census), borders China, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Some states have trade ties with some of these countries, especially Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The official said that while digitisation of ration cards in most states, including in the Northeast, was completed, progress of Aadhaar seeding in ration cards was very poor in most of the states in the region, except Tripura and Sikkim.
He said seeding of Aadhaar in ration cards in Tripura and Sikkim was at over 90 per cent, but in the other northeastern states this was on an average only at 30 per cent. "The situation is extremely bad in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram."
Gupta, who was here to address a two-day workshop on "Digital Transformation and Automation of PDS Operations", said that the Central government had asked all the northeastern states to complete digitisation of ration cards and computerisation of PDS by June this year.
He said the Centre had introduced "Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)" to integrate the PDS system, portals of states and Union Territories with the Central System and portals, introduction of National Portability and de-duplication of ration cards and beneficiaries.
"The new scheme would bring more transparency and efficiency in the distribution of food grains as it would improve the mechanism to identify fake and duplicate ration cards and provide the option to PDS beneficiaries to lift their entitled food grains from Fair Price Shops of their choice.
"Under the 'End to End Computerisation of PDS Operations', financial and technical assistance is being provided to states and Union Territories. For the northeastern states, the funding pattern is on a 90:10 ratio, where 90 percent of the total expenditure was borne by the Centre and 10 percent contributed by the state concerned," the official added.
To implement the 'End to End Computerisation of PDS Operations' and IM-PDS, the central government has constituted an Empowered Committee.
The PDS has been operated with a network of about 50,000 Fair Price Shops in the northeastern states. The operation is carried out under the joint responsibility of the central and state governments.
The Food Corporation of India is the main supplier of food grains and other items for the PDS.
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R-Day parade: Navy wins best marching contingent award, Maharashtra tops tableau category
New Delhi (PTI): Indian Navy has been adjudged the best marching contingent among the three wings of the armed forces at this year's Republic Day Parade, officials have said.
Maharashtra won the top prize in the category of states and Union Territories for its tableau showcasing Ganeshotsav, while the culture ministry's tableau celebrating the 150-year legacy of 'Vande Mataram' emerged as the winner in the ministries and departments category.
The Navy's marching contingent comprised 144 young personnel marching shoulder-to-shoulder on the historic Kartavya Path, symbolising it as a progressive and strong maritime force, Navy officials said on Wednesday.
The Navy's marching contingent won the top prize in the best marching contingent among the three services, while Delhi Police's contingent was adjudged the best marching contingent among Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other auxiliary forces, they said.
In the state and Union Territories tableau category, Jammu and Kashmir won the second prize, followed by Kerala in third place.
Maharashtra's tableau presented a blend of modernity and tradition, portraying the Ganesh festival as a symbol of self-reliance. Dressed in traditional attire, a troupe of women dancers performed Lezim, a folk dance, on either side of the tableau during the parade on the ceremonial boulevard.
The culture ministry's tableau celebrated 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', showcasing the song's composition by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, a colonial-era recording by a famous Marathi singer and its rendition by a group representing the 'Gen Z'.
Themed 'Vande Mataram: The Soul-Cry of a Nation', the tableau's foreground section depicted the manuscript of 'Vande Mataram' being composed, while a panel on its lower side depicted an image of Chatterjee.
The middle section carried a group of artistes in traditional costumes, depicting the folk diversity of India, while some were seen in modern dresses, representing the 'Gen Z'.
Behind them, a series of art installations showcased celebrated actor and musician of Marathi cinema and theatre, Vishnupant Pagnis, recording the song, freedom fighters facing the gallows, and an imposing image of 'Bharat Mata' (Mother India) holding the Tricolour.
The depiction was of the rare 1928 recording of the song by him, an official said.
The award presentation ceremony will take place on January 30 at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp, another official said.
A special prize was awarded to the Central Public Works Department's tableau, which celebrated 150 years of 'Vande Mataram' with a floral float; and the 'Vande Mataram: The Eternal Resonance of India' dance group, officials said.
In the 'Popular Choice' category, based on an online poll conducted on the MyGov portal, citizens voted the Assam Regiment as the best marching contingent among the three services, while the CRPF won the award for the best marching contingent among the CAPFs and other auxiliary forces.
Gujarat secured the top spot in the popular choice category for states and Union territories with its tableau themed 'Mantra of Swadeshi-Self-Reliance-Freedom: Vande Mataram', followed by Uttar Pradesh (theme - Culture of Bundelkhand) and Rajasthan (theme - Golden Touch of the Desert: Bikaner Gold Art).
The Department of School Education and Literacy's tableau (theme - National Education Policy) was chosen as the best tableau from central ministries and departments in the 'Popular Choice' category, they said.
