Examine how digital transformation of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India has helped in addressing the challenges besetting it. (Answer in 150 words)

PDS is the pioneer govt scheme that provided affordable access to food grains to ensure nutritional security. Redistribution of food grains: Rs 23/kg for Rice, Rs 2/kg for wheat, Rs 1/kg for coarse grains. Issues in PDS system in India: i Leakages - NSSO (2011-12) showed about 45% of food grains go out of track during transportation. ii Bogus card & beneficiaries - Grains are often sorted to open market while real beneficiaries don't get it.

iii Corruption - Deliberate gate crashing of software, unscrupulous machinery, forces offline services. iv Lack of checks & balances by senior authorities. Initiatives to Revive PDS in India: i All India connectivity - ODRP - Biometric cards linking station cards to ensure last mile connectivity. ii Smart Ration cards - Data storage & automatic handling in Haryana, Rajasthan etc. iii E-Point on Sale at fair price shops for distribution of food grains. iv Tracking driven by GPS - enabled monitoring.