States/UTs Food Secretaries Conference reviews various issues pertaining to Department of Food and Public Distribution

The Secretary of the Department of Food & Public Distribution chaired a conference of State Food Secretaries in New Delhi to review foodgrain procurement, public distribution, and storage. Key highlights include fixing the paddy procurement estimate at 708.64 LMT for KMS 2026–27, introducing Improved Rice specifications with reduced broken grain limits, and outlining a New Storage Policy to add 131 LMT of storage capacity. The meeting also evaluated technology adoption such as AI-based image validation under PCSAP, the Depot Darpan Portal, Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS) implementation by December 2026, and Digital Rupee-based DBT for Fair Price Shop dealer margins. Furthermore, progress on e-KYC coverage (reaching 90.64%), SARTHAK-PDS implementation, and the rollout of new SOPs for duplicate and silent beneficiaries under the TPDS Order were examined.