New Delhi, May 27 -- The Central government on Wednesday announced the SARTHAK-PDS scheme with a total outlay of Rs 25,530 crore aimed at modernising the Public Distribution System (PDS), improving logistics and introducing artificial intelligence-based systems for beneficiary management and grievance redressal.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement during the Cabinet briefing.

According to the details shared during the briefing, the SARTHAK-PDS scheme will run for five years from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2031.

The scheme includes assistance to state agencies for intra-state movement of food grains, support for fair price shops and modernisation of the public distribution system.

As p...