Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution addresses Public Distribution System (PDS) reforms, focusing on digitization, automation, and transparency. It highlights progress in digitizing ration card databases and automating Fair Price Shops (FPSs) with ePoS devices. The document also discusses initiatives to digitize foodgrain storage and prevent beneficiary cheating through electronic weighing scales integrated with ePoS devices, as mandated by the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Key Points / Main Content:
Digitization and Automation:
- 100% of ration card/beneficiary databases have been digitized across all States/UTs.
- Approximately 99.6% (5.41 Lakh out of 5.43 Lakh) Fair Price Shops (FPSs) have been automated with ePoS devices, using biometric Aadhaar authentication.
Foodgrain Storage:
- The Food Corporation of India (FCI) uses the Depot Online System (DOS) to capture real-time storage capacity and stock positions.
- A pilot project using IoT technology in government warehouses monitors temperature, humidity, gas levels, airflow, and unauthorized access, rodent and insect activity.
- The Depot Darpan portal has been introduced for self-assessment, rating, and grading of FCI depots.
Preventing Cheating at FPSs:
- Section 12(b) of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) mandates the use of information and communication technology to ensure transparent transactions and prevent diversion.
- All States/UTs have been requested to integrate electronic weighing scales with ePoS devices to ensure accurate distribution of foodgrains.
- Several States/UTs have already integrated ePoS devices with electronic weighing scales, while others are in the process of integration.
- The Act is being implemented in DBT Cash mode where applicable.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/Union Territories:
Impact: Required to implement and oversee the integration of electronic weighing scales with ePoS devices at FPSs.
Action Required: Need to continue or complete the integration of electronic weighing scales with ePoS devices and ensure compliance with the NFSA.
Fair Price Shop (FPS) Owners/Operators:
Impact: Must adopt and use ePoS devices and integrated electronic weighing scales.
Action Required: Implement and maintain the ePoS and weighing scale systems, ensuring accurate and transparent distribution of foodgrains.
Beneficiaries:
Impact: Should receive the correct quantity of foodgrains due to improved transparency and accurate weighing.
Action Required: Verify the quantity of foodgrains received at FPSs.
Food Corporation of India (FCI):
Impact: FCI is modernizing and digitizing storage facilities.
Action Required: Continue implementing and using the Depot Online System (DOS) and Depot Darpan portal for storage management and assessment. Continue implementation of the SMPJtT Warehouse pilot.
Key Entities Referenced
Public Distribution System (PDS): A government-run food security system in India that distributes subsidized food and essential items to the poor.
Fair Price Shops (FPSs): Retail outlets authorized by the government to distribute essential commodities to ration card holders under the Public Distribution System.
Food Corporation of India (FCI): The main agency responsible for procuring, storing, and distributing food grains under the Public Distribution System.
Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS): A modified version of the Public Distribution System aimed at providing subsidized food grains to the poor and vulnerable sections of society.
Aadhaar: A 12-digit unique identity number issued to all Indian residents based on their biometric and demographic data.
National Food Security Act (NFSA): An Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country's population.
Depot Online System (DOS): System used by Food Corporation of India (FCI) for capturing real time storage capacity and stock position.
West Bengal: A state in India where integration of electronic weighing scales is implemented
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 525
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
PDS REFORMS
525. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that under Public Distribution System (PDS) reforms, all ration cards
database have been digitized and more than 90% Fair Price Shops (FPSs) have been automated
with e-Point of Sale devices;
(b) whether there is any proposal to digitize storage capacity, storage of foodgrains, storage
gap assessment of Food Corporation of India, private warehouses and also warehouses under State
agencIes;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has observed that due to manual weighInent of foodgrains, many
FPSs in the country are resorting to cheat the beneficiaries;
(e) if so, whether the Government is considering to make it mandatory for electronic weighing
scales or machines and integrating them with ePoS devices to prevent cheating; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS.
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIM ATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a): As part of the technology driven Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) refbrms,
with the aim to enhance transparency and improve efficiency in the TPDS, ration
cards/beneficiaries database have been completely digitized (100%) in all States,/T_iTs. Further,
for better tracking of foodgrains distribution, nearly 5.41 Lakh (99.6%) out of total 5.43 I_.akh
Fair Price Shops (FPSs) in the country have been automated by installing ePoS devices fdr the
distribution of foodgrains in a transparent manner (electronically) through biometric/ Aadhaar
authentication of beneficiaries.
(b) & (c): Food Corporation of India (FCI) is using Depot Online System (DOS) for capturing
real time storage capacity and stock positi'ill.The SMPJtT Warehouse pilot, implemented by WFP in collaboration with DFPD, uses
loT technology in government warehouses to minimize foodgrain losses. Monitoring
parameters include temperature, humidity, gas levels, airflow, and events such as unauthorized
access, rodent, and insect activity. The pilot project is underway in FCI godowns in phased
mariner.
Further, Depot Darpan portal hQS a]so been introduced as another step towards
Modernization and Digitalization of storage facilities in FCI. The Portal facilitates self-
assessment, rating, and grading of FCI depots (ov.'ned and hired).
(d) to (f): Section 12 (b) of the National Food Security Act (NFS A) intra-alia provides for
“application of information and communication technology tools including end-to-end
computerization in order to ensure transparent recording of transactions at all levels, and to
prevent diversion”. Accordingly, to ensure that entitled quantity of foodgrains is distributed to
the eligible beneficiaries and to maintain transparency, all the States/U’Fs have been requested
to integrate electronic weighing scales with the electronic point of sales (ePoS) devices.
The current status of linking of e,PoS Devices with electronic weighing scale received
from States/UTs is as follows:-
articulars unrber IName of the States
of States
iRl=P=maXFa -iS:iMRjmRrja;l-a:TFiiiFPradesh,
Integrated 7
West Bengal,
l
n\
=maaa
ot
integrated IPradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur
Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Andaman & Nicobar
slands, DNH & DD, Lakshadweep, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh
ot
laGan, Puducherry (The Act is being implemented in DBT Cash mode)
licable
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