Lok Sabha Question No. 1679 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Depot Darpan e-portal
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1679

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2025

## DEPOT DARPAN E-PORTAL

## 1679. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM: DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched the Depot Darpan e-portal;

- (b) if  so, the objectives and functionalities  of the above said portal;

- (c) the  details  of estimated  savings  and  income  augmentation anticipated  through implementation of  said portal in  Food Corporation of India  (FCI)  and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) depots;

- (d) whether steps have been taken by the Government to address the infrastructural gaps identified  during the evaluation of FCI and CWC  depots and if so, details thereof;

- (e) whether the Government has integrated technologies such as Closed-Circuit  Television (CCTV) surveillance and Internet of  Things (IoTs) sensors to create a seamless digital monitoring  ecosystem and if  so, the details of the parameters monitored under this system;

- (f) the manner in which  said technologies contribute  to real-time monitoring  and improved operational efficiency in foodgrain depots; and

- (g) whether the  said digital  monitoring  system has led to  measurable improvements in storage  efficiency  and safety and if so, the details thereon

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,

FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a)  to  (c)  Yes  ; Depot Darpan  is  a digital self-assessment and monitoring platform to  enhance the infrastructure  and operational efficiency  of food  grain storage  depots

- The warehouses are assessed based on two main categories
- a) Operational Efficiency (60% weightage): Occupancy, Cost metrics like transit/storage loss, handling cost, Demurrage, and manpower expenses.
- b)  Infrastructural  Efficiency (40% weightage): including safety, operational, environmental, and statutory aspects
- Each category  is evaluated independently, and the warehouse  receives a 5-Star rating based on the composite scoring from  both.
- This is aimed to  institutionalize  a mechanism for  self-evaluation on the status of warehouse management, practices,  safety standards, infrastructure,  storage conditions,  and  financial performance aiding in improving the existing gaps.
- Mobile application provides access to senior officials of Food Corporation of India/Central Warehousing Corporation/Department of Food &  Public Distribution for  monitoring of rating of the warehouses.

This exercise of identifying  process inefficiencies and implementing targeted interventions has the potential  to yield  savings in FCI-owned  warehouses and generate additional  income in CWC-operated food grain warehouses.

- (d) The infrastructural gaps identified during the assessment are taken up in the Capital Expenditure and Annual Repair & Maintenance works  ofFCI  &  CWC with  a target to enhance the depots' rating.
- (e) Department has undertaken a pilot  project  on  Smart Warehousing Technologies in Godowns, which  includes CCTV  Surveillance and IoT  sensors for monitoring  key parameters such as C02  &  Phosphine levels, fire  hazards, humidity,  unauthorized  entry and temperature on real time basis for ensuring security and efficiency  in foodgrain storage.

(f)  to (g):  CCTV  and IoT technologies transform depot operations by ensuring:-

- a)  Real-time visibility
- b)  Timely  intervention
- c)  Data-driven decision-making
- d)  Standardized operations across all depots

These advancements directly  contribute to ensure safe, secure, and efficient  food grain storage and distribution

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