New Delhi, Mar 2 (KNN) A Smart Card Solution for India's Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS), is the need of hour, therefore, all the States/UTs should make efforts to implement it at the earliest, said Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

While addressing Conference of Food Ministers of all States/UTs, Goyal pointed out that transparency should be of utmost importance for free supply chain of food grains under Public Distribution System.  

Goyal appreciated Andhra Pradesh Command Control and stated that Central Government along with State Government will work together for implementing in other states also.

On the Storage front, the Union Minister stated that Food Corporation of India (FCI) is upgrading their godowns into 5 star rated Godown and State Governments can also upgrade their godowns.

With regard to settlement of pending claims of State Governments, he told that it is being done on priority basis and would be settled immediately.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution covered the major initiatives undertaken by the Government of India to strengthen the Public Distribution System in India.

The Conference of Food Ministers serves as a platform for States/UTs to further their cause and act as a catalyst in providing viable solutions to the problems faced by them. 

It also highlighted the achievements of States/UTs and thus motivated others to pave a progressive and innovative path.

During the conference issues related to Procurement of millets and its usage among beneficiaries of PMGKAY were discussed.

The conference also deliberated on fighting anaemia and nutritional deficiencies in various parts of the country by suitably creating awareness on benefits of fortified rice.  (KNN Bureau)