Automatic Grain dispensing machines being tested in 5 cities on pilot basis

Automatic Grain dispensing machines being tested in 5 cities on pilot basis that enable beneficiaries to obtain subsidized food grains without having to visit FPS to provide freedom to the beneficiaries

Context

Automatic Grain dispensing machines being tested in 5 cities on pilot basis that enable beneficiaries to obtain subsidized food grains without having to visit FPS to provide freedom to the beneficiaries

How Automatic Grain dispensing machine (AGDM) will work?

• A mobile number and a unique mark are enlisted alongside each ration card holder in a database and a message is sent to their mobile notifying the availability of their ration
• The beneficiary confirms his unique identification mark (fingerprint/iris), enters the amount of food grains required and weighing is done utilizing load cell accurately.
• The data regarding the inventory received, distributed and the stocks remaining in the shop are updated, in real time, in a central server.
• A fully automated system to bring in transparency and efficiency in the entire supply chain of the system.
  

Reasons for introducing AGDM

• The Public Distribution System of India suffers from several shortcomings:
  • Quality of sustenance grains distributed through PDS is inferior
  • Diversion of good quality grains to open market for illegal monetary gains and replacing it with poor quality grains
  • Bogus ration cards to procure food grains to sell in the open market
  • Irregularities in the recognition of beneficiary families and distribution of commodities
  • Failure to achieve price control and stabilization of basic commodities