Daily Bulletin

The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) recently hosted its "Weekend Wisdom Programme," where Shri Anindo Majumdar, former IAS officer of the 1985 batch and current Member (Administrative) of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Kolkata, delivered a lecture on 'Ethics and Corporate Governance'. Shri Majumdar emphasized the critical distinction between law and ethics, urging students to uphold integrity in public life by adhering to their conscience. He also discussed the importance of ethical leadership, whistle-blowers, and regulatory capture within corporate structures.

During the same IICA "Weekend Wisdom Programme," Dr. Rajendra Kumar, IAS, Secretary of the Border Road Organization (BRO) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, addressed topics including "Corporate Governance, Cyber Security, Personal Data Protection and Artificial Intelligence" and "Smart Border Management." Dr. Kumar outlined the four pillars of AI policy, focusing on promotion of AI-led research, inclusive development, responsible deployment, and adaptive regulatory frameworks. He also highlighted the "New Corporate Trust Equation" comprising Good Governance, Cybersecurity, Personal Data Protection, and Responsible AI, alongside the role of technology like GIS mapping and drone inspection in smart border management.

The Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) today held a conference of State Food Secretaries in New Delhi, chaired by Secretary Shri Sanjeev Chopra, where paddy procurement estimates for the ensuing Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2026–27 were fixed at 708.64 LMT in terms of paddy. The conference also reviewed the implementation of the Improved Rice policy, which mandates raw rice to contain up to 10% broken grains (replacing the existing 25%) and parboiled rice up to 5% broken grains (replacing 16%), with procurement commencing from KMS 2026–27.

During the State Food Secretaries Conference, procurement plans for coarse grains and millets were reviewed, with an estimated 18.85 LMT of coarse grains targeted for procurement by States during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2026–27. It was highlighted that 16.38 LMT of coarse grains and millets were procured during 2025–26, marking the highest procurement in the last five years. The conference also reviewed the progress of the Procurement Centre Smart-Assessment Portal (PCSAP), announcing the introduction of AI-based image validation from KMS 2026–27 to enhance efficiency and transparency.

The Department of Food & Public Distribution's conference reviewed the New Storage Policy, which aims to create 131 LMT of additional foodgrain storage capacity nationwide, with 111 LMT to be developed by States and 20 LMT by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). States were urged to submit time-bound action plans for this expansion and to onboard their foodgrain storage facilities onto the Depot Darpan Portal. This portal serves as a self-assessment tool for warehouses, with States advised to undertake assessments within defined timelines and utilize training support from CWC, FCI, and DFPD.

The implementation of the Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS) for GPS-based real-time tracking of foodgrains under the Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain was reviewed, with States advised to complete its implementation by December 2026. The Procurement Optimisation Tool, supporting both Kharif and Rabi Marketing Seasons, has been security-audited and installed in Punjab and Haryana, with other States requested to update their procurement data by September 15, 2026. Furthermore, the integration of Anna Chakra with State Supply Chain Management Systems (SCMS) and VLTS has been completed for six States, with remaining States targeted for phased integration by September and December 2026.

In a review of Public Distribution System (PDS) reforms, the Department of Food & Public Distribution noted that e-KYC coverage for beneficiaries reached 90.64% as of July 30, 2026. A new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for e-KYC-based data replication and mobile-number seeding through ePOS was rolled out to facilitate easier foodgrain delivery. Additionally, new SOPs for silent and duplicate ration cards, issued under the amended TPDS (Control) Order, 2015, will go live in SMART-PDS from October 1, 2026, providing for temporary disablement followed by a three-month e-KYC revalidation window.

The umbrella scheme SARTHAK-PDS, integrating assistance for intra-State movement of foodgrains and Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealer margins with the SMART-PDS technology layer for 2026–31, has seen 100% of Mother Sanction issued to States/UTs for FY 2026–27. States/UTs were also directed to ensure the timely constitution and regular functioning of Vigilance Committees, as per Section 29 of the NFSA, 2013, and to operationalise Aadhaar-based authentication of foodgrain receipt at the FPS level by these committees, submitting rollout compliance reports within four weeks.