Section Overview
Annual issuance of new ration cards, upgrading 10,000 PDS shops, and opening new shops where needed. Continuation of existing system.
Summary Ratings
| Fiscal Pressure | Economic Benefit | Social Benefit | Implementation Risk |
| LOW | LOW | HIGH | LOW |
Proposal-by-Proposal Analysis
The table below provides fiscal cost estimates and impact ratings for the principal proposals in this section.
| Key Proposal | Fiscal Cost Estimate | Economic Benefit | Social Benefit |
| Annual new ration cards – systematic process | Administrative cost: ₹5–10 cr/yr for survey + enrolment. | LOW | HIGH |
| 10,000 PDS shops upgraded + new shops where needed | ₹5–10 lakh/shop upgrade × 10,000 = ₹500–1,000 cr over 5 years. | MEDIUM | HIGH |
Analytical Notes
⚑ Analytical Note: TN’s PDS system is consistently rated India’s best – near-universal coverage, minimal leakage, and high commodity quality. The proposed upgrades are maintenance and quality improvements rather than structural changes. The annual card issuance process reforms address a longstanding grievance of eligible households being excluded.
