Based on findings from MSC’s diagnostic study on the IM-PDS program, this note examines portability in the public distribution system as a reform to strengthen government service delivery in India

The state of Andhra Pradesh is recognized as a leader in using technology to improve the delivery of public services, programs and subsidies. Many of its innovations were piloted in Krishna District, which has been visited by development agencies and delegations from many countries.

Over the past few years, there was a continuous effort by the government to streamline the in-kind distribution of fertiliser. Targeting fertiliser subsidies directly to farmers would be a herculean task, but can be attempted by combining several initiatives that the central government and some state governments have undertaken over the past years. This note discusses potential solutions to improve in-kind transfers and suggests few ideas for cash transfer pilots for fertiliser subsidy.

The Indian government initiated DBT in fertiliser to plug leakages and bring transparency in the system. Direct Benefit Transfer in Fertiliser (DBT-F) in its current form is a modified subsidy payment system, where the government pays subsidy to fertiliser companies only after fertiliser retailers have sold fertiliser to farmers or buyers. The subsidy isn’t directly credited to farmers in their bank accounts owing to certain challenges. This note highlights the major barriers to distributing fertiliser subsidy through cash transfers and in-kind transfers.

The objective of the study was to examine the efficiency, efficacy, and operational aspects of the scheme and understand the triggers and barriers that drive the behaviour around usage and refills of LPG by the PMUY beneficiaries

The blog highlights lessons from the digitisation of government to person (G2P) programmes in India

The blog identifies how India can move towards an efficient fertiliser distribution system.

The report elaborates key findings of the study on three major aspects —Farmer Readiness, Retailer Readiness, and Transaction Status. It also explains best practices being followed by districts based on indigenous wisdom and provides actionable solutions for smooth implementation of AeFDS initiative.