MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) & (b): All States/UTs have been requested to undertake end-to-end
computerization of Public Distribution System(PDS). End-to-end
Computerization of PDS includes Fair Price Shop(FPS) Automation,
Computerization of Supply-Chain, Digitization of Ration Card database,
SMS/E-mail alerts on dispatch and delivery of foodgrains, setting up of
Transparency Portal, Toll-free number for grievance redressal etc.
Among various measures taken by the Government, detailed guidelines for
end-to-end Computerization of PDS have been issued to all States/UTs
covering various aspects such as the components of computerization,
software options, institutional mechanism, action plans of States,
financial support, etc. Details of PDS application software have been
sent by the Department to all States/UTs. The application software prepared
by National Informatics Centre(NIC) has been shared by it with State
Information Officers(SIOs) of NIC. Detailed directions to all States/UTs
have also been conveyed for achieving prescribed milestones.
Infrastructural and financial support would also be provided to
States/UTs for end-to-end Computerization of PDS.
(C)&(d): End-to-end Computerisation of PDS inter-alia envisages
use of biometric information of the beneficiaries for their identification
for issuance of foodgrains, weeding out of bogus and ineligible ration
cards/units, etc. However, there is no specific proposal for use of
Radio Frequency Identification devices.
