The Union Food and Public Distribution Ministry has launched several major digital initiatives aimed at modernising warehousing operations, improving supply chain efficiency, and enhancing transparency across the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the new schemes at an event in Bharat Mandapam. The initiatives support the government’s mission of reducing logistics costs and minimising turnover time, with the Minister noting the alignment with the PM Gati Shakti programme for an integrated logistics ecosystem.
ASHA: An AI Powered Feedback Solution
The most prominent initiative is the Anna Sahayata Holistic AI Solution (ASHA), an AI based platform allowing beneficiaries to share their feedback on ration distribution. The platform uses AI enabled calls in the user’s preferred language.
This platform operates at a cost of just ₹5 lakh, a figure much less than maintaining a traditional call centre to reach PDS beneficiaries. The system uses multilingual translation, sentiment analysis, automated grievance categorisation, and real time dashboards for administrators. It successfully reaches 20 lakh beneficiaries across India every month. The platform was developed in partnership with the Wadhwani Foundation and is backed by the India AI mission through Bhashini’s multilingual AI infrastructure. Through ASHA, beneficiaries can report on whether they received their full entitlement, the quality of foodgrains, and any difficulties faced at Fair Price Shops.
New ERP and Integrated Systems
Another significant transformation is the Central Warehousing Corporation’s new Enterprise Resource Platform, aptly named Bhandaran 360. Implemented ahead of schedule, the system integrates 41 modules covering core functions such as HR, finance, marketing, warehouse management, contract management, and project monitoring.
The Minister also launched the Smart EXIM Warehouse System for both container freight stations and general warehouses. Furthermore, ANNA DARPAN, a new microservices based platform, replaces the existing Depot Online System. ANNA DARPAN connects key activities, including procurement, storage, movement, sales, quality checks, labour management, and contract monitoring, under one integrated system, serving as a single unified source of truth for both the Food Corporation of India and the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
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