Centre may look at Nashik food supply model

The Union agriculture ministry is likely to push the states to replicate the Nashik model under which large quantities of food grains are being distributed at lesser costs. 

Under this model, large quantities of grains are being distributed in 300 villages in Nashik district under the Public Distribution System (PDS), once in either three or six months or a year. 

This is in contrast to the monthly distribution system which is expensive in terms of transportation and is also not effective in clearing stocks.

The Nashik system is also transparent as the distribution takes place before the village community, and once distributed, independent agencies and NGOs can monitor to prevent misuse.

This model was conceived four years ago by the then additional district collector of Nashik, Shekhar Gaikwad, who is now registrar of the Maharashtra government’s Yashwantrao Chavan Academy for Development Administration (Yashda).

In July, Gaikwad was invited by the ministry to make a presentation of his model which was approved by the state government in 2007. 

Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and deputy chairman of the planning commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia were present in that deliberation.

“The model was highly appreciated since it did not incur any additional cost for the smooth distribution of the food grains,” said
Gaikwad, speaking to DNA.

According to him, the Centre has called upon all states to replicate the Nashik model.