The Jan Poshan Kendra initiative is a new program launched by the Indian government aimed at transforming Fair Price Shops (FPS) into multi-functional nutri-hubs. This project seeks to enhance the nutritional offerings available to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), a crucial welfare scheme that provides free food grains to economically disadvantaged sections of society. The initiative is currently being piloted in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh and plans to expand in the coming years.
Key Objectives and Features of Jan Poshan Kendra
- Enhanced Nutritional Offerings:
- FPSs, which have traditionally distributed only subsidized grains, will now offer a wider variety of nutritional food products such as pulses, dairy products, and other essential food items.
- The goal is to address both the income challenges faced by ration dealers and the nutritional needs of beneficiaries, ensuring a more balanced diet.
- Space Allocation:
- 50% of the space in these new "Jan Poshan Kendras" will be dedicated to the sale of nutrition-rich products, while the other half will cater to other household necessities.
- Financial Support for FPS Transformation:
- FPS owners will receive loans and invoice financing from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to aid in the transformation of their shops.
- Collaborations:
- The initiative involves partnerships with organizations like AMUL for dairy products and eB2B platforms such as Udaan and Jumbotail for sourcing a variety of food items.
- Expansion Plans:
- The government aims to convert 100,000 FPSs into nutri-hubs over the next three years, expanding the scope of this initiative across the country.
Introduction of Digital Tools To enhance the operational efficiency, transparency, and quality control of the Public Distribution System (PDS), the
Jan Poshan Kendra initiative integrates several digital tools:
- FPS Sahay:
- A paperless, presence-less, and collateral-free financing app designed for ration dealers to ease their access to funding.
- Mera Ration App 2.0:
- An upgraded version of the app that provides consumers with real-time information about the public distribution system, helping them locate FPSs and track their entitlements.
- Quality Management System (QMS):
- A digital platform to monitor and integrate the operations of Quality Control labs within the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) and the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
- QMS helps ensure high standards in procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains by capturing key transactions in real-time.
- Quality Control Handbook:
- A comprehensive handbook formulated by the DFPD to ensure strict adherence to quality standards for food grains.
- The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation is being pursued to ensure these labs meet international quality standards.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) The
PMGKAY is a key welfare scheme launched by the Indian government under the
Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to mitigate the economic impact of the
Covid-19 pandemic on low-income households. Here's an overview:
- Objective:
- The scheme aims to provide free food grains in addition to the regular allocation under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, to around 80 crore beneficiaries. This includes Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH).
- Food Distribution:
- AAY households receive 35 kg of food grains per month, while PHH beneficiaries get 5 kg per person per month.
- Phases of Implementation:
- The scheme was rolled out in seven phases from April 2020 to December 2022, during which a total of 1,015 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes) of food grains were distributed.
- Initially set to expire in December 2022, the scheme was extended until December 2023, and in January 2024, it was decided that the scheme would continue for the next five years, benefiting approximately 81.35 crore beneficiaries.
Impact of Jan Poshan Kendra and PMGKAY - Nutritional Benefits: The transformation of FPSs into Jan Poshan Kendras is expected to significantly improve the nutritional quality of food available to low-income households, making it easier for families to access a balanced diet.
- Economic Support for Ration Dealers: The financial support provided to FPS owners will help address the income challenges faced by them, making the initiative sustainable and beneficial for local businesses.
- Operational Efficiency: The integration of digital tools will streamline operations, increase transparency, and help monitor the quality of food distribution, ensuring that food reaches the beneficiaries in the best possible condition.
- Long-Term Sustainability: By combining improved nutritional offerings with enhanced operational systems, the government aims to create a more sustainable, efficient, and impactful public distribution system (PDS).
key Takeaways
The
Jan Poshan Kendra initiative is a significant step towards transforming the
public distribution system in India, enhancing both the nutritional content available to citizens and the operational efficiency of FPSs. Coupled with the government's ongoing commitment to
PMGKAY, this initiative represents a comprehensive approach to tackling both hunger and malnutrition, while also ensuring the sustainability and growth of the FPS network.
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