The State Department of Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs has been recognised for its outstanding efforts in advancing reforms in the Public Distribution System (PDS).
The recognition was conferred during the launch of ‘Anna Chakra’, the PDS Supply Chain Optimisation Tool at an event attended by Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi today.
The accolade highlights Meghalaya’s commitment to enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the PDS, ensuring the timely and effective delivery of food grains to beneficiaries across the state.
Minister in charge, Comingone Ymbon, congratulated the department on achieving this significant milestone. He praised the collective efforts that have propelled Meghalaya to the forefront of PDS reform at the national level. Ymbon expressed his satisfaction with the measurable progress in supply chain management, emphasising that these advancements will contribute significantly to enhancing the welfare of citizens by ensuring efficient resource allocation and improved service delivery.
Commissioner and Secretary of the department Pravin Bakshi applauded the dedicated officials who worked tirelessly to meet stringent timelines. The deployment of the required server space within an extraordinary timeframe of just four days demonstrated the state’s ability to adapt and innovate.
This achievement was realised through collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), IIT Delhi, and NIC, whose technical expertise played a pivotal role in the successful implementation of these reforms.
‘Anna Chakra’, an innovative supply chain optimization tool, created in collaboration with the World Food Programme and IIT-Delhi, uses cutting-edge algorithms to streamline the movement of foodgrains nationwide.
It is set to revolutionize logistics, covering 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops and 6,700 warehouses, thereby impacting the food security programme that benefits 81 crore citizens. Initial evaluations from 30 states highlight a potential annual savings of Rs 250 crore.
The initiative also integrates with the Railways’ Freight Operations Information System and the PM Gati Shakti platform, reflecting a significant tech upgrade.
Alongside this, the minister launched the SCAN portal, which is designed to simplify food subsidy claims processes for states, aiming for both economic and environmental benefits.
