DBT Plan: Rs 1000 Monthly for Ration Card Holders to Revolutionize PDS

• Government spends Rs. 40/kg on PDS rice, but 28% of subsidized grains are wasted or diverted, causing Rs. 69,108 crore annual loss.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) proposed to deposit Rs. 40/kg (or Rs. 1000/month for a family) directly into beneficiaries' Aadhaar-linked accounts.
• DBT aims to curb waste, eliminate middlemen, increase transparency, empower beneficiaries to buy quality food, and save government costs.
• Karnataka's 'Anna Bhagya' scheme is cited as a successful example of cash transfers improving nutrition and financial inclusion.
• Challenges include banking access in remote areas, market price volatility, and potential misuse of funds; a phased transition is suggested.

Why It Matters: DBT for PDS can revolutionize food security, empowering beneficiaries and curbing massive waste.