Govt finalises new name 'Indiramma Anna Yojana' for PDS

A move is afoot to rename the public distribution system (PDS) after Indira Gandhi as 'Indiramma Anna Yojana' in a bid to cash in on implementing the National Food Security Act and to prevent the Opposition claiming any credit.
A final call on the proposed name will be taken by the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"We have finalised a new name 'Indiramma Anna Yojana' for the existing Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) after discussing with the Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh," Food Minister K V Thomas told PTI.
A Cabinet note will be moved soon for approval, he said, adding categorically that the existing PDS will be renamed and not the legislation.

Apart from renaming the PDS, Thomas said the government is considering having a logo for the scheme for better reach. "We are planning to announce a logo design contest to choose the best one for the schemes," he said.
Noting that the Centre is more focusing on strengthening PDS, the Minister said: "Distributing foodgrains in five kilo packs via PDS will reduce wastage and pilferage. We are discussing this issue with Punjab and Andhra Pradesh and other producing states."
With Lok Sabha elections not far away, the thinking in the Congress-led UPA government is that late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's name would help it electorally in view of her pro-poor image.

The food security law, a brainchild of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, could be projected as the unfinished task of Indira Gandhi's 'Garibi Hatao' campaign launched in the 1971 elections.