Recently, the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, unveiled the "Anna Chakra" and SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portals to modernize India's Public Distribution System (PDS).These initiatives aim to improve the efficiency of the PDS supply chain and simplify the subsidy claim process, benefiting millions of citizens dependent on food security programs.
What are Anna Chakra and SCAN?
Anna Chakra: Anna Chakra is an innovative tool designed to optimize the PDS supply chain in India. Developed in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and IIT-Delhi’s Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), it uses advanced algorithms to identify the most efficient routes for transporting food grains.
Key Features:
- Efficiency and Cost Savings: Optimizes logistics to ensure timely delivery of food grains, saving Rs 250 crores annually through reduced fuel, time, and logistical expenses.
- Environmental Sustainability: Cuts transportation distances by 15-50%, minimizing emissions and reducing the carbon footprint.
- Wide Reach: The optimization process covers 30 states, benefiting 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPS) and 6,700 warehouses in the PDS network.
- Seamless Integration: Linked to the Railways' Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) through the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) and integrated with PM Gati Shakti for geo-location mapping of FPS and warehouses.
SCAN System: The SCAN portal is designed to streamline the subsidy claim process for states under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. It aims to improve fund utilization, reduce wastage, and enhance food security for 80 crore citizens while promoting economic and environmental benefits.
Key Features:- Unified Platform: Provides a single interface for states to submit food subsidy claims, streamlining the process for all involved parties.
- Automated Workflow: Ensures automation of the subsidy release and settlement processes, improving transparency and efficiency.
- Rule-Based Mechanism: Utilizes a rule-based system for claim scrutiny and approval, speeding up the settlement process by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD).
What is PDS?Overview: The Public Distribution System (PDS) is India's food security initiative, aimed at combating food scarcity by providing food grains at subsidized rates. Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, it ensures food security for two-thirds of India's population, based on the 2011 Census data.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
Evolution of PDS: The PDS began during World War II as a wartime rationing measure and has evolved over time. In the 1960s, it expanded to address food shortages. The Agriculture Prices Commission and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) were established to procure and store food domestically. By the 1970s, PDS became universal, and the 1992 Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) expanded PDS reach to remote areas. The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), introduced in 1997, focused on assisting low-income households, categorizing beneficiaries into Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) groups. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), launched in 2000, further targeted the most impoverished families.
Management: The PDS is jointly managed by the Central and State Governments. The Central Government, through FCI, handles food grain procurement, storage, transportation, and bulk distribution. State Governments oversee local distribution, issue ration cards, identify eligible families, and supervise Fair Price Shops (FPS).
Commodities Distributed: The PDS primarily distributes wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene. Some states also provide additional items like pulses, edible oils, and salt.
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