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Government Of Assam Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs

End - to - End Computerization
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Public Distribution System

About / Information:

The Targeted Public Distribution is aimed at ensuring food security of the people, specially the poor and vulnerable sections. The shortcomings pointed out in the evolution studies in its implementation, such as leakages and diversion of foodgrains, inclusion and exclusion errors in identification of beneficiaries, etc, Government has taken measures to address these shortcomings but it is felt that Computerization of TPDS will be an important step to bring transparency to the system.

End-to-End Computerization of TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System) Operations Component-I is an operation of the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution in consultation with the National Informatics Centre, Department of Electronics & Information Technology, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology who is the Centre’s technical partner for the scheme.

Accordingly, as per order the Central Government, the scheme was started in Assam taking 3(three) districts viz- Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Kamrup Metropolitan as pilot districts.

Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in WP© No. 196/2001-PUCL-Vs- Union of India and others has issued directions from time to time regarding computerization of TPDS. In this case, Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order dtd: 27-07-2010 directed that there must be total computerization of the PDS on top priority basis; that Union of India must prepare a software and the same software should be used by all the States. In its order dated: 14-09-2011, the Hon’ble Supreme Court inter- alia directed Government of India to ensure that the computerization of PDS is provided necessary infrastructure and financial support.

Objective:

TPDS encompasses the process of allocation of foodgrains, storage, beneficiary identification and management of delivery of foodgrains to beneficiaries. For better coordination among various agencies involved at various levels in operation of TPDS, namely, Central Government, State Government, Food Corporation of India, State Civil Supplies Corporations, other agencies at State level, FPS dealers, beneficiaries, etc, it is necessary that information regarding movement of foodgrains is available on a common platform. With computerization of Supply Chain, the movement of foodgrains upto FPS level can be tracked and the problem of leakage and diversion can be addressed. Digitization of beneficiary database will help in weeding out the bogus ration cards and better targeting of subsidies. Facilities of SMSs, e-mails, toll free numbers will be used to inform the beneficiary about the availability of the TPDS supplies in the FPS, which will ensure timely and transparent distribution of foodgrains to beneficiaries as per their entitlement. Transparency portal and social audit will further strengthen the functioning of FPSs and ensure accountability at various levels. Beneficiaries will also be able to register their grievances through toll free numbers and seek resolution.

The modernization of TPDS including its computerization is the primary responsibility of the State. With a view to provide technical, financial and infrastructural support to State, this Plan scheme has been launched by the Govt. of India on cost-sharing basis for implementation during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17)

The Scheme:

(A) The Component –I :

The Component–I of the Scheme is to be implemented in theinitial phase which comprises following key activities :

  1. Digitization of ration cards/beneficiary and other databases,
  2. Computerization of Supply Chain Management,
  3. Setting up of Transparency portal and
  4. Grievance Redressal Mechanism.

(B) The Component-II :

As per decision of the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) meeting held on 06-09-2012, while activities being taken up under Component-I could be implemented by all States in the first stage, the activities under Component-II i.e., Fair Price Shop (FPS) Automation should be taken up after taking into consideration various factors like coverage & linkage with UIDAI/NPR data, availability of connectivity at FPSs, finalization of smart Card standards, etc.

Management Structure :

As per Administrative Approval, the overall managementstructure for the scheme has been strengthened which comprises of various bodies at Centre and State levels with well defined roles.

The Institutional Mechanism of the State comprises of the following Committee/Team(s)

(A) State Apex Committee :

  1. Chief Secretary-Chairman
  2. Secretary (In-charge) of F,CS&CA Department
  3. Secretary (In-charge) of Finance Department
  4. Secretary (In-charge) of Planning & Development Department
  5. Secretary (In-charge) Information and Technology Department Director, F,CS&CA Department
  6. Managing Director, Assam Electronic Development Corporation Ltd.
  7. Technical Director & SIO, National Informatics Centre, Assam
  8. Executive Director/General Manager, Food Corporation of India
  9. Any other member as may be decided by the Chairman

The State Level Apex Committee has the following terms and references:

  1. Overall guidance
  2. Decisions on policy matters
  3. Approval of all deliverables by various agencies/groups
  4. Financial Powers as per the delegations.

(B) State Project E-Mission Team:

  1. Secretary (I/c) of the F,CS&CA Department ----- Mission Leader
  2. Secretary (I/c) of the Information & Technology Deptt. ----- Member
  3. General Manager(R), Food Corporation of India ----- Member
  4. Technical Director & SIO, NIC, Assam ----- Member
  5. Registrar if Cooperative Societies ----- Member
  6. Managing Director, Assam State Cooperative Apex Bank ---- Member
  7. Director, F,CS&CA, Assam ----- Convenor
  8. Any other member as may be decided by the Chairman

The State Project E-Mission Team has the following terms and references:

  1. Preparation of DPR for approval from Line Ministry
  2. Overall responsibility of Project implementation
  3. Detailed FRS at State Level
  4. Implementation of BPR and Change Management
  5. Communications and Training
  6. Selection of Customization/Development and Implementation Agencies
  7. Exercise Strategic Control
  8. Ensure certification from Certifying agency before full State Level roll-out
  9. Serve as secretariat for State EC for the Project
  10. Ongoing support and upgrades.

(C) State Project Management Unit (SPMU):

  1. Consultant-Technical Project Manager (to be hired) as per Govt. of India Guidelines.
  2. Representative of AMTRON
  3. Representative of NIC
  4. Representative of F,CS&CA Deptt.
  5. Financial Adviser, F,CS&CA Deptt.
  6. Jr. Consultant (to be hired) as per Govt. of India Guidelines
  7. One Data Entry Operator to support the Nodal Officer (to be hired) as per the Govt. of India guidelines.

State project management unit has the following terms and references:

  1. Assess the activities accomplished and yet to be undertaken by State/UT,as part of Component-I of the scheme.
  2. Assess current ICT levels at various state levels.
  3. Close Coordination with all stakeholders including NIC(H/Q), System Integrators, FCI, etc.
  4. Assess training needs of F,CS&CS staff.
  5. Assess availability of bandwidth for locations covered under the scheme.
  6. Prepare Hardware and Software requirements along with technical specifications.
Document:

(A) Acts & Rules / Guidelines :

  • Guidelines of TPDS Computerization
  • Administrative Approval

(B) Report:

  • Number of ration cards digitized.
  • Prices of foodgrains

(C) Forms:

  • Form-"C"