Anna Chakra

About Anna Chakra: 

• It is a Public Distribution System (PDS) Supply chain optimization tool.
• It is spearheaded by the Department of Food Public Distribution, which enhances the efficiency of the PDS logistics network across the country.
• It is developed in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT-Delhi.
• Working
• The project leverages advanced algorithms to identify optimal routes and ensure seamless movement of food grains across supply chain nodes. 
• An operation of this magnitude involves a complex supply chain, relying on multiple stakeholders starting from farmers to Fair Price Shops.
• This exercise has covered 4.37 Lakhs Fair Price Shops and approx. 6700 warehouses involved in PDS supply chain.
• The interstate route optimization tool has been developed for optimization of the PDS movement between the states and it is integrated with the FOIS (Freight Operations Information System) portal of the Railways through Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).
• A significant milestone in this effort is the integration of the optimization tool with the PM Gati Shakti platform which now houses geo -locations of FPSs and warehouses across the states.
• Advantages
  • The route optimization assessment has been done for 30 states and the results show tremendous promise with the estimated costs saving of about Rs. 250 Crores per annum.
  • This initiative unique which helps improve the speed and efficiency of the world’s largest food security program providing food safety net to 81 Crore beneficiaries. 
  • Reduces fuel consumption, time, and logistics costs, it also provides environmental benefits of lower carbon footprint due to reduced transportation-related emissions.

What is the SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal?

• It will provide for a single window submission of subsidy claims by states, claim scrutiny and approval by DFPD facilitating expeditious settlement process.
• The portal will ensure end-to-end workflow automation of all the processes for release and settlement of food subsidy using rule-based processing.

Q1: What is the World Food Programme?

It is a branch of the United Nations that deals with hunger eradication and promotes food security in the world. It is a member of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

News: Shri Pralhad Joshi launches ‘Anna Chakra’, the Public Distribution System Supply chain optimisation tool and SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal