Union Cabinet Clears Major PDS Reform Under ₹25,000 Crore Sarthak Scheme

The Union Cabinet has approved the ambitious ‘Sarthak PDS Scheme’, a major reform initiative aimed at strengthening India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) and improving food grain transportation under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

Addressing the media after the Union Cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has played a transformative role in ensuring food security, supporting families, and improving social welfare across the country.

He announced that the Centre has now approved a nearly ₹25,000 crore programme called the ‘Sarthak PDS Scheme’, which focuses on improving the efficiency of food grain distribution and easing the financial burden on state governments.

According to Vaishnaw, one of the biggest challenges faced by state agencies was the transportation cost involved in moving food grains from Food Corporation of India (FCI) warehouses to districts, divisions, and fair price shops. The new scheme will address this issue directly by providing central financial support for transportation expenses.

“The Government of India has decided to support that cost under this programme,” Vaishnaw stated, highlighting that the reform will help ensure smoother delivery of subsidised food grains to beneficiaries across India.

The government believes the initiative will further strengthen the food security network while making the Public Distribution System more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly.