Jammu Tawi: Jammu and Kashmir will implement the Smart Public Distribution System (Smart PDS) across the Union Territory by mid-August 2025, announced Satish Sharma, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Information Technology, Transport, and Youth Services & Sports.
Minister stated that J&K is on track to become the first Union Territory in India to fully migrate to the Smart PDS under the national Ration Card Management System (RCMS) framework. The initiative is in line with directives from the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
Sharma described Smart PDS as a transformative reform aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and portability in food distribution. Over 25 lakh ration card holders and 1.02 crore beneficiaries will benefit from the seamless system, which will also integrate with the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme. This allows J&K residents to access their entitled rations anywhere in India and vice versa.
Currently in the testing phase, the Smart PDS system is being optimized for local needs and will cover multiple beneficiary categories such as SAAY, NFSA, and PMSES. The system will be powered by Aadhaar-enabled, 4G POS machines of L1 configuration, improving storage efficiency, reducing transportation costs, and ensuring better service delivery.
Mobile applications like Mera Ration and Annapurna will offer real-time information on ration entitlements. Allied services, including Ayushman Card issuance, will remain unaffected.
The Minister directed officials to expedite system testing, train Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers, and conduct awareness campaigns to ensure readiness, especially in remote areas.
