“Anna Chakra” and the SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal
Context
The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy recently launched two transformative initiatives—“Anna Chakra” and the SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal.
- These tools aim to modernise India’s Public Distribution System (PDS), ensuring efficient food grain distribution and streamlining subsidy claims. Millions of citizens relying on food security programs stand to benefit from this modernisation.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
About Anna Chakra
- Anna Chakra is an innovative tool designed to optimise the PDS supply chain in India. Developed in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and IIT-Delhi’s FITT, it uses advanced algorithms for efficient transportation of food grains.
- Key Features:
- Enhanced Efficiency and Savings: Improves the logistics network to deliver essentials on time, saving ₹250 crores annually by reducing fuel consumption and logistics costs.
- Environmental Sustainability: Cuts transportation distances by 15-50%, leading to fewer emissions and a smaller carbon footprint.
- Widespread Coverage: Covers 30 states, benefiting 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPS) and 6,700 warehouses in the PDS supply chain.
- Tech Integration: Linked with the Railways’ Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) via the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) and integrated with the PM Gati Shakti platform for geo-location mapping of FPS and warehouses.
SCAN System
The SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal is a tech-driven initiative to streamline subsidy claims for states under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
Key Features:
- Unified Platform: A single-window system for states to submit food subsidy claims, making the process more efficient for all stakeholders.
- Automated Workflow: Facilitates end-to-end automation for subsidy release and settlement, boosting transparency and reducing delays.
- Rule-Based Processing: Uses a systematic approach for claim scrutiny and approval by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, expediting the settlement process.
Public Distribution System (PDS):
- The Public Distribution System (PDS) ensures affordable food grain distribution and manages emergency food supply, launched in June 1947.
- It provides subsidised food and non-food items to low-income groups, supplementing their needs without covering all household requirements.
- Objectives include ensuring food security for the poor, equitable distribution, and stabilising market prices for essential commodities.
- PDS moderates open market prices by distributing a significant portion of marketable cereals.
- It promotes socio-economic justice by alleviating hunger, malnutrition, and anaemia among vulnerable groups like women, children, and Below Poverty Line (BPL) citizens.
- Leveraging ICT has improved efficiency and reduced manual interventions in the system.
Related Posts
Daily Static Quiz – 30th June, 2022
Posted on
Tiger Census
Posted on
