Lok Sabha Question No. 1801 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Enhancement of Transparency in PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1801

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10TH DECEMBER, 2025

## ENHANCEMENT OF TRANSPARENCY IN PDS

## 1801. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M. :

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government has launched several digital  initiatives aimed at modernizing warehousing operations, improving  supply chain efficiency  and enhancing transparency across the Public Distribution System (PDS);
- (b) if  so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that the above AI  platform  may run at a cost of Rs. 5 lakh which is much less than maintaining a Call Centre to reach out to the PDS beneficiaries;
- (d) whether it is also true that  the implementation  of the above is in  line with  the mission of the Government to reduce logistics  costs and minimizing  turnover  time;
- (e) whether it is also true that the said system allows beneficiaries  to share their feedback on ration distribution through AI  enabled calls; and
- (f) if  so, the details thereon

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (f):  Department of Food &  Public Distribution  (DFPD), has taken following  digital initiatives  aiming  to  modernize warehousing operation, improving  supply  chain efficiency  and enhancing transparency across the Public  Distribution  System(PDS): -

Public Distribution  System (PDS) Reforms:-

## Anna Sahayata Holistic Al solution (ASHA) :

ASHA  is  an  Al-driven citizen feedback  and  grievance  management platform, designed to enable large-scale engagement with  beneficiaries  of  the National  Food Security Act  (NFS A)  and the Pradhan Mantri  Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). Through multilingual communication channels such as WhatsApp, IVRS,  and cloud telephony, ASHA  allows citizens across India to  share feedback, raise grievances, and assess service delivery in their preferred language.

## SMART PDS:-

Further, this Department is implementing 'Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through  Technology in  Public  Distribution System  (SMART-PDS)' Scheme to  strengthen the technology infrastructure in Public  Distribution  System (PDS) to lead the technology driven reforms and transformative change in the entire PDS ecosystem covering NFS A and State schemes. This  Scheme includes  four  modules namely  (i)  Food  Grains Procurement, (ii) Supply  Chain  Management/  Allocation of Grains,  (iii) Ration  Cards  Management System &  Fair Price  Shop Management and (iv)  Biometric  Based Grains Distribution Module (eKYC).

## Other PDS Reforms

Under PDS reforms, ration  cards/beneficiaries database have been completely (100%) digitized in all States/UTs, transparency portal and  online grievance redressal facility/Toll-free number have  been  implemented in  all States/UTs. Further  online allocation has been implemented in all States/UTs (except UTs of Chandigarh, Puduchemy and urban areas ofDadra  &  Nagar Haveli  which  have adopted DBT  Cash Transfer scheme) and supply chain has been computerized in 31 States/UTs.

## Storage Related Reforms :-

## (i)  Smart  Warehouse  Project  :-

Department is in the process of  converting  150 owned Depots of Food Corporation of India (FCI) to smart warehouses on pilot basis. Besides, all the food grain depots of Central Warehousing  Corporation  (CWC)  are also covered under smart warehouse project.

Under this project, traditional  depots are converted in  smart warehouses which  are equipped  with  different sensors like  smoke sensors, fire  sensors &  gate opening  sensor etc. for  monitoring  key  parameters such as CC)2, phosphine levels,  fire  hazards, humidity, unauthorized entry and temperature on real time basis.

This initiative is  to  ensure  real-time visibility, timely intervention, data-driven decision-making &  standardized operations across all  depots contributing  to ensure safe, secure, and efficient  food grain storage and distribution.

## (ii)  Anna  Darpan Project :-

The Department has initiated the development of  'ANNA  DARPAN'  a  next generation, microservices- based integrated supply chain management system. The system designed to  streamline  operations across Man(iis,  Mills, Depots and  all  administrative levels. The Anna Darpan project pilot has been launched in  108 Depots on 18.11.2025 .

## (iii)  Depot Darpan Portal: -

Depot Darpan Portal is  a digital  platform  launched by this  Department to enhance the monitoring,  transparency and efficiency  of  food-grain  storage depots under PDS.

This Portal uses a  composite scoring system, assessing depots on  two  broad categories: Infrastructure and Operational Parameters. Based on the scores, each depot receives a star rating, which  is meant to provide a quick assessment of depot performance. Validation of data is built into the process via  100% supervisory officer verification and some random third-party  audits to ensure reliability.

- (iv) 'Anna Chakra' PDS Supply Chain Optimization Tool: Department of Food and Public Distribution  (DFPD) has implemented 'Anna  Chakra' tool for PDS Supply Chain Optimization. The tool  is designed to  streamline the PDS supply chain, improving  efficiency,  cutting  carbon emissions, and reducing overall costs while supporting 81 crore vulnerable citizens. Early results are encouraging, transportation costs are  estimated  to  be reduced  by nearly Rs.  250  crore  annually. Using state-specific algorithms,  the  system optimizes  routing  based on warehouse locations,  storage capacities, and road distances, achieving a 15 to 50% reduction in transport distances.

## 't Anna Chakra't Inter-state Route optimization tool :

Inter-state movement optimization  has been undertaken to streamline and enhance the interstate movement operations of  foodgrains, primarily by  rail,  undertaken by  the Food Corporation of  India  (FCI).  These movements are planned to  meet Public Distribution  System (PDS)  requirements in  consuming states while simultaneously managing storage space in  procuring or  surplus regions. The  daily  planning and execution of  these operations is  carried  out  by  FCI  using  the tool  developed for  this purpose

In order to keep its storage infrastructure  robust and updated, this Department taken various steps for modernizing warehouses as mentioned below :

## (v) Construction  of SILOs:

Steel Silo storage with bulk  handling facility  is highly  mechanized and modernized way  of  storing food  grains. Silo ensures  better  preservation of  food  grains  and  enhances its life durability. Storing &  transporting of food grains in Silos, reduce the chances of losses due to theft, pilferage in compared to the conventional warehouses. Steel Silos are constructed under Public Private Partnership Mode.

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