Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution addresses questions regarding the Anna Mitra mobile app and Anna Sahayata platform. Anna Mitra aims to streamline PDS operations via a secure platform, while Anna Sahayata facilitates grievance redressal under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) using WhatsApp and IVRS. Both initiatives are being rolled out in a phased manner across states and union territories.
Key Points / Main Content:
Anna Mitra Mobile App:
Objectives: Empowers PDS field functionaries with access to operational data through a secure platform.
Design Features: Streamlines field-level operations, stock tracking, and compliance reporting. Provides transaction summaries, beneficiary management, inspection modules, and stock level management.
Functionality: Reduces bottlenecks, eliminates paperwork, enhances decision-making, and improves transparency and efficiency in service delivery.
Rollout Status: Currently operational in four pilot states (Uttarakhand, Tripura, Assam, and Punjab) and available in English and Hindi. Implementing in other States/UTs in a phased manner.
Anna Sahayata Platform:
Objectives: Facilitates a structured grievance redressal mechanism under PMGKAY for the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Key Features: Grievance registration through WhatsApp and IVRS channels, and a three-tiered escalation matrix.
Rollout Status: Rolled out in five pilot states (Gujarat, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh) and currently enables grievance submission in Hindi, English, Gujarati, Telugu, and Bangla. Further, platform is to be made operational in other States/UTs in phased manner.
Beneficiaries: Envisaged to benefit approximately 80 crore NFSA beneficiaries upon full rollout.
Budget: The budget allocation for the pilot phase implementation is around Rs. 86 lakhs for Anna Sahayata and Rs 52 lakh for Anna Mitra app.
Impact Analysis:
PDS Field Functionaries (Fair Price Shop dealers, Food Inspectors, and District Food Supply Officers (DFSOs)):
Impact: Streamlined operations, improved access to critical data, and enhanced ability to monitor stock and compliance.
Action Required: Utilize the Anna Mitra app for field-level monitoring, stock management, and compliance reporting.
NFSA Beneficiaries:
Impact: Improved grievance redressal mechanism for issues related to the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under PMGKAY.
Action Required: Utilize the Anna Sahayata platform via WhatsApp and IVRS to register grievances.
State and UT Governments:
Impact: Phased implementation of Anna Mitra and Anna Sahayata platforms to improve PDS efficiency and grievance redressal.
Action Required: Cooperate in the phased rollout of the platforms and provide necessary support for their implementation.
Key Entities Referenced
Anna Mitra Mobile App: A mobile application designed to streamline field-level monitoring, stock management, and compliance reporting within the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Public Distribution System: A government-managed system for distributing essential commodities to the public at subsidized prices.
Anna Sahayata Platform: A technology-enabled grievance redressal mechanism for the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: A food security welfare scheme to provide food during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Uttarakhand: One of the pilot states for the Anna Mitra app implementation.
Tripura: One of the pilot states for both the Anna Mitra app and Anna Sahayata Platform implementation.
Gujarat: One of the pilot states for the Anna Sahayata Platform implementation.
National Food Security Act: An Indian Act of Parliament which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country's population.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2832
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025
ANNA MITFLA AND ANNA SAHAYATA DI(,ITAL PLATFORMS
2832. SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY:
SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI:
DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a): the objectives and main design features of the Anna MiRa Mobile App and the
manner in which it facilitate the access of beneficiaries to Public Distribution System;
(b): the present rollout status of the Anna MiRa and the number of States and languages in
which it is operational especially in the State of Maharashtra;
(c): the salient features of the Anna Sahayata Platform started for the complaint redressal
under Pradhan Mantri Garib Anna Yojana and the names of the States and languages
included in its pilot phase;
(d): the details of technical functionalities integrated in the Anna Sahayata Platform; and
(e): the total number of estimated beneficiaries to be covered and the budget allocated for
the development and deployment of Anna MiRa and Anna Sahayata Platforms ?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIM ATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a) & (b): The Anna Mitra mobile app empowers PDS (Public Distribution System) field
functionaries by providing access to critical operational data through a secure platform. The
app is designed to streamline field-level monitoring, stock management, and compliance
reporting by Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers, Food Inspectors and District Food Supply
Officers (DFSOs).
Key Design Feature of Anna Mitra – it is designed to:
• Streamline field-level operations, stock tracking, and compliance reporting
• Transaction summary of ration cards, beneficiary management and other stakeholder
information-2-
Inspection modules, feedback and rating modules
•
• Stock level management from District to FPS level
These features enable the app to:
• Reduce bottlenecks and eliminate manual paperwork
• Enhance decision-making through data access
Anna Mitra ultimately brings all key PDS stakeholders onto a single, secure digital
platform, improving transparency, speed, and efficiency in service delivery.
At present, the Anna Mitra app is operational in four pilot States i.e Uttarakhand,
Tripura, Assam and Punjab and available in two languages (English & Hindi). It is getting
implemented in other States/UT in phased manner.
(c) to (c):- The Anna Sahayata platform launched under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan
Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) facilitate a structured and technology-enabled grievance redressal
mechanism pertaining to the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under National
Food Security Act (NFSA) leveraging WhatsApp and IVRS services. Its key features from
technological standpoint involve functionalities like grievance registration through WhatsApp
and IVRS channels and a three-tiered escalation matrix to ensure timely tracking and
resolution of grievances at appropriate administrative levels. The platform has been rolled out
in five pilot States, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tripura & Uttar Pradesh and currently
enables grievance submission in five languages i.e Hindi, English, Gujarati, Telugu and
Bangla. Further, platform is to be made operational in other States/UTs in phased manner.
The Anna Sahayata platform is envisaged to benefit a substantial portion of the NFSA
beneficiary base i.e around 80 Crores progressively upon rollout in remaining States/ UTs.
The budget allocation of Anna Sahayata for the pilot phase implementation is around Rs. 86
lakhs and for the Anna Mhra app is Rs 52 lakh.
SeScSe SeRge