21 May 2025
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution recently launched three digital initiatives to enhance transparency and efficiency in the Public Distribution System (PDS). Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi today launched three major digital initiatives — the Depot Darpan Portal, and digital platforms Anna Mitra, and Anna Sahayata— aimed at transforming India’s Public Distribution System (PDS).
The launch of these digital platforms reflects the government's commitment to leveraging technology for good governance and ensuring food security for all Indians
- Depot Darpan Portal: A digital self-assessment and monitoring platform for depot officials to evaluate and improve their operations. It assigns a Composite Rating based on infrastructural and operational parameters, leveraging advanced technologies like IoT sensors and CCTV surveillance.
- Anna Mitra App: A mobile app designed for key stakeholders in the PDS, providing real-time access to operational data. It enables Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers to view stock receipts, access monthly sales reports, and receive alerts. District Food Supply Officers (DFSOs) can monitor FPS performance, track grievances, and access beneficiary data.
- Anna Sahayata App: An advanced grievance redressal system allowing citizens to register complaints via WhatsApp, IVRS, or automatic speech recognition. It's designed to serve over 81 crore beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
These apps aim to ¹ ²:
- Enhance Transparency: By providing real-time data and monitoring capabilities.
- Improve Efficiency: By streamlining operations and grievance redressal.
- Empower Beneficiaries: By ensuring access to subsidized food grains and facilitating feedback.