Question : Digitization of PDS

(a) whether all the States in the country have taken the progressive steps to digitizing fair price shops/ration shops if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(b) if not, the reasons for their inability to commence the process of digitization;

(c) the total number of fair price shops/ ration shops that have been digitized during each of the last three years, State-wise including Bihar;

(d) whether end-to-end digitization of the Public Distribution System (PDS) is facing any hurdles in its implementation, and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the measures taken by the Government to fast-track digitization of PDS?

MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAMVILAS PASWAN)

(a) to (c): Department of Food and Public Distribution in collaboration with States/UTs is implementing a scheme on ‘End-to-End Computerization of TPDS Operations’ to improve the efficiency and transparency in Public Distribution System (PDS) operations. Under Component-II of scheme comprises automation of Fair Price Shops (FPSs), which involves installation of electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices at FPSs for authentication of beneficiaries and electronic recording of sale transactions. Presently, as per information received from States/UTs, out of total 5.34 lakh FPSs across the country, about 4.12 lakh FPSs have been automated so far. A statement showing automation of FPSs during last three years (State-wise including Bihar) is at Annexure.
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(d) & (e): Initially the implementation of the scheme on ‘End-to-End Computerization of TPDS Operations’ was slow and uneven across the country due to delay in finalization of action plans by States/UTs, late submission of their proposal for financial assistance and practical problems faced during the implementation. However, due to vigorous efforts and regular monitoring of the project there has been significant progress in implementation of the scheme. Ration cards have been completely digitized in all States/UTs, transparency portal and online grievance redressal facility/Toll-free number have been implemented in all States/UTs, online allocation has been implemented in 34 States/UTs and supply chain has been computerized in 26 States/UTs. Progress is being monitored vigorously to ensure the automation of the remaining FPSs and Computerisation of Supply Chain Management in all States/UTs.

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ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.624 DUE FOR ANSWERED ON 25th JUNE, 2019 IN THE LOK SABHA.

Statement showing status of FPS automation during last three years


Sl. No.
States/UTS Total No. of FPSs automation
Dec'' 2016 Operational ePoS Dec'' 2017 Operational ePoS Dec'' 2018 Operational ePoS Upto 12-06-2019 Operational ePoS
1 Andhra Pradesh 29,082 28,663 28,663 28,936
2 Andaman & Nicobar 290 373 401 459
3 Arunachal Pradesh 28 25
4 Assam 109
5 Bihar 59 62 62
6 Chandigarh (on DBT Cash Transfers w.e.f Sept'' 2015) DBT
7 Chhattisgarh 12,128 11,899 11,953 11,974
8 Dadra & Nagar Haveli
(on DBT Cash Transfers in few urban areas w.e.f March'' 2016) 62 62 62 63
9 Daman & Diu 51 51 51 51
10 Delhi 28 90
11 Goa 42 42 406 456
12 Gujarat 17,052 17,209 17,210 17,210
13 Haryana 8,969 9,491 9,317 9,526
14 Himachal Pradesh 4,888 4,933 4,933
15 Jammu and Kashmir 6,411 6,411
16 Jharkhand 20,361 23,115 23,926 25,532
17 Karnataka 3,877 16,143 19,013 19,514
18 Kerala 14,370 14,299

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19 Lakshadweep 39 39
20 Madhya Pradesh 22,409 22,469 23,661 24,619
21 Maharashtra 93 51,079 52,532 52,532
22 Manipur
23 Meghalaya 10 10
24 Mizoram
25 Nagaland
26 Odisha 32 13,306 12,577 12,577
27 Puducherry (on DBT Cash Transfers w.e.f Sept'' 2015) DBT
28 Punjab 16,000 17,525
29 Rajasthan 25,721 25,793 25,579 26,063
30 Sikkim 20 44 1,325 1,352
31 Tamil Nadu 34,769 34,773 34,776 34,776
32 Telangana 1,622 11,339 17,170 17,170
33 Tripura 25 25 1,806 1,806
34 Uttar Pradesh 750 13,186 37,202 80,493
35 Uttarakhand 8 8 2,213 3,271
36 West Bengal 366 366
Total 1,77,391 2,84,107 3,62,171 4,12,050

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