Govt launches Anna Chakra tool to enhance efficiency of PDS logistics network

Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

The government on December 5 launched ‘Anna Chakra’, a Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain optimisation tool to enhance the efficiency of the PDS logistics network across the country.

Launched by Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, 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 makes the 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,” the government said in a press release.

The optimisation tool is aimed at improving efficiency and cost savings through streamlined delivery routes reducing fuel consumption, time and logistics costs. It also provides environmental benefits of lower carbon footprint due to reduced transportation-related emissions, the government said.

The government has done route optimization assessments for 30 states and the results show estimated cost savings of about Rs 250 crores per annum.

The interstate route optimization tool 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,” the government said.

The government also launched the SCAN portal or Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA (National Food Security Act). The portal would provide for a single window submission of subsidy claims by states, claim scrutiny and approval by DFPD facilitating an expeditious settlement process.

The portal would ensure end-to-end workflow automation of all the processes for the release and settlement of food subsidies using rule-based processing, the government said.