Question : FCI Online System

(a) whether FCI has decided to follow an online system, equipped with detailed information about farmers getting Minimum Support Price (MSP) for rice, if so, the extent to which it will be helpful for farmers and consumers ;
(b) whether FCI would be able to track timely payment of MSP to farmers, thereby bringing in transparency in grain procurement mechanism;
(c) whether FCI has informed the States to adopt online system by capturing all the information about farmers well in advance; and
(d) whether the purpose of this online procurement system is also to integrate the same with FCI’s depot online work currently being undertaken and if so, the details thereof ?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a): Yes, Madam. Food Corporation of India (FCI) has developed an online procurement module as a part of Depot Online System of FCI and is used for procurement done by FCI directly. The module is equipped with detailed information about farmers getting Minimum Support Price (MSP). This System will send alerts through SMS to the registered farmers on date of procurement, location of procurement center, weight of food grain procured and details of online payment made to the farmer for their procured food grains.
(b): Yes, FCI would be able to track timely payment of MSP to farmers thus bringing in transparency in grain procurement mechanism.
(c): Yes, a national workshop on e-procurement was held at Bhopal on 5th & 6th April, 2016 in which 16 States had participated. All procuring states have been requested to develop and use online procurement system.
(d): Yes, Madam. Online Procurement is a module in the FCI’s depot online system currently being implemented.
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