Jan Poshan Kendras

• 23 Aug 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the Indian government has launched a pilot project to rename and transform 60 Fair Price Shops (FPS) across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh into "Jan Poshan Kendras." 

• This move aims to enhance the nutritional offerings available to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). 
• The project also includes the introduction of several new digital tools and support systems designed to enhance transparency and operational efficiency.

What is the Jan Poshan Kendra Initiative?

• Purpose: Under this initiative, FPSs will begin selling additional items beyond subsidised grains to address the income challenges faced by ration dealers while improving the nutritional offerings available to beneficiaries under the PMGKAY.
  • Currently, 0.54 million FPSs distribute, on average, 60-70 million tonnes of food grain annually under PMGKAY, free of cost, to over 800 million beneficiaries.
    • The government sees scope for generating additional income from FPS as a large number of people visit these outlets to get their monthly entitlement of grains.
  • Further, the government aims to convert around 100,000 fair price shops into "nutri-hubs" in the next three years.
• Key Features: These Kendras will provide a diverse array of nutrition-rich food items, including pulses and dairy products, in addition to subsidised grains.
  • 50% of the space in these Kendras will be allocated for storing nutritional products, while the remaining space will be used for other household items.
  • FPSs will receive loans and invoice financing from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to support their transformation and operations.
  • The initiative includes collaborations with organisations like AMUL for dairy products and Business-to-Business eCommerce (or eB2B) platforms such as Udaan and Jumbotail for sourcing materials.
• Digital Tools: The initiative includes the launch of several new digital tools:
  
  • FPS Sahay: An application providing paperless, presence-less, and collateral-free financing for ration dealers.
  • Mera Ration App 2.0: An app designed to give consumers information about the public distribution system.
  • Quality Management System (QMS): It is a digital application for integration of Quality Control labs in the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) and Food Corporation of India (FCI). 
    • QMS captures all key transactions in real time during the stages of procurement, storage and distribution.
  • The introduction of digital tools and new systems is expected to enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and quality control in the public distribution system.
• Additional Tools: DFPD has formulated a comprehensive Handbook of Quality Control to ensure strict quality standards of central pool foodgrains.
  • Additionally, accreditation of National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) is crucial for the Department laboratories to comply with international standards, ensure quality to enhance customer confidence and satisfaction.

What is Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana?

• The PMGKAY a significant initiative by the Central Government under the Atmanirbhar Bharat program introduced in 2020 to alleviate the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on low-income households by providing free food grains, in addition to regular allocations under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
• PMGKAY initially provided additional free food grains to around 80 crore NFSA beneficiaries (including Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH)).
  • Each AAY household receives 35 kg of food grains per month, while PHH beneficiaries receive 5 kg per person per month.
  • The scheme was executed in seven phases from April 2020 to December 2022, distributing a total of 1,015 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes) of food grains.
• Initially set to expire in December 2022, the scheme was extended until December 2023. On 1st January 2024, the Central Government decided to continue providing free food grains to approximately 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the PMGKAY for the next five years.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims:

Q. With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements: (2018)

1. The families coming under the category of ‘below poverty line (BPL)’ only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.
2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a ‘take-home ration’ of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 3 only

Ans: (b)