Anna Chakra and SCAN Portal

Recent Development:

The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution recently launched Anna Chakra and the Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA (SCAN) portal, aimed at saving approximately ₹250 crore annually.

Anna Chakra

What is Anna Chakra?

• Purpose: A tool to optimize the Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain for food grains across states.
• Objective:
  • Enhance the efficiency of PDS logistics nationwide.
  • Modernize the PDS and subsidy claim mechanisms.
  • Ensure seamless movement of food grains through optimal routing.
• Development Partners:
  • World Food Programme (WFP)
  • Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT-Delhi
• Ministry Involved: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Key Features:

1. Technology Integration:
   • Utilizes advanced algorithms for route optimization in the movement of food grains.
   • Integrated with the Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) of Railways through the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).
2. Cost Savings:
   • Expected to save ₹250 crore annually by reducing transportation costs for free wheat and rice distribution.
3. Environmental Impact:
   • Reduces the carbon footprint by optimizing routes and minimizing emissions.
4. Benefits for Beneficiaries:
   • Improves efficiency, reduces costs, and ensures timely delivery of food grains to the 81 crore beneficiaries under the PDS.
   • Helps reduce leakages in the system, enabling effective Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT).

SCAN Portal (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA)

Purpose:

• Provides a single-window platform for subsidy claim submission and scrutiny by states.

Features:

• End-to-end workflow automation for processing and settlement of food subsidies.
• Rule-based processing ensures transparency and expeditious settlements.

World Food Programme (WFP)

About WFP:

• Established: 1961
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Mission:
  • Deliver food assistance during emergencies.
  • Build resilience in food-insecure communities.
  • Fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Operations:

• Operates in 120+ countries and assists 80 million people annually.

Goals:

1. Saving Lives: Emergency food assistance.
2. Improving Nutrition: Addressing malnutrition in vulnerable populations.
3. Achieving Zero Hunger: Long-term development initiatives to eradicate hunger.

The WFP’s involvement in projects like Anna Chakra reflects its commitment to innovative approaches for improving food security.

Significance:

• The integration of Anna Chakra and SCAN portal enhances efficiency, transparency, and accountability in food distribution and subsidy claims, making the PDS system more robust and cost-effective.