New Delhi: Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, today unveiled two groundbreaking initiatives—‘Anna Chakra,’ a PDS supply chain optimization tool, and SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal. These measures mark a significant stride toward modernizing the Public Distribution System (PDS) and streamlining subsidy claim mechanisms under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
The ‘Anna Chakra’ tool, spearheaded by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, is a transformative project aimed at optimizing the logistics network of the world’s largest food security program, serving 81 crore beneficiaries. Developed in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and IIT-Delhi’s Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), the tool employs advanced algorithms to enhance route efficiency, ensuring smoother movement of food grains across the supply chain.
Joshi emphasized the initiative’s significance, noting its potential to improve delivery speed, reduce fuel consumption, and lower logistics costs. The optimization effort also aligns with sustainability goals by reducing the transportation-related carbon footprint.
Initial assessments across 30 states have demonstrated remarkable potential, with projected cost savings of ₹250 crore annually and a reduction of 58 crore QKM (quantity in quintal x distance in kilometers). The tool’s reach encompasses approximately 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPS) and 6,700 warehouses nationwide.
Integration with advanced platforms like the PM Gati Shakti and Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) of Indian Railways further enhances the tool’s capabilities. The PM Gati Shakti platform now includes geo-locations of FPSs and warehouses, offering comprehensive logistics mapping for seamless PDS operations.
The SCAN portal introduces an end-to-end automated workflow for the submission, scrutiny, and approval of food subsidy claims by states. This single-window platform accelerates the settlement process, leveraging rule-based processing to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Joshi highlighted how the portal would reduce delays in subsidy disbursement, a critical component of maintaining the integrity of the PDS.
Launching these initiatives, Joshi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing the efficiency and transparency of food distribution systems. He described the initiatives as vital steps in ensuring that resources reach the intended beneficiaries promptly and sustainably.