Depot Darpan & Anna Platforms to Revolutionize PDS Monitoring and Grievance Redressal

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi launched three significant digital platforms—Depot Darpan Portal, Anna Mitra, and Anna Sahayata—aimed at transforming India’s Public Distribution System (PDS). These platforms focus on improving transparency, efficiency, and citizen empowerment, impacting over 81 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and PMGKAY.

Why in News?

The launch of these platforms marks a pivotal moment in India’s mission to digitize and streamline welfare delivery systems. These tools aim to reduce inefficiencies, enhance operational monitoring, and provide real-time grievance redressal in the vast PDS network, including over 5.38 lakh Fair Price Shops.

Aim & Objectives

• To digitize and enhance transparency in warehousing and foodgrain distribution.
• To empower PDS stakeholders and ensure grievance redressal in real time.
• To increase process efficiency, reduce losses, and augment income for storage corporations.

Depot Darpan Portal

• A self-assessment and monitoring tool for FCI and CWC depots.

Assesses depots on,

• Infrastructure (safety, sustainability, statutory compliance)
• Operations (occupancy, efficiency, profitability)
• Uses IoT sensors, CCTV, and live video feeds for real-time data and analytics.

Potential savings

• ₹275 crore in FCI depots
• ₹140 crore in CWC warehouses

Budget allocations

• ₹280 crore for CWC upgrades
• ₹1,000 crore for FCI modernization

Anna Mitra App

Empowers PDS field stakeholderસ,

• FPS dealers can track stock and receive alerts.
• DFSO officers can monitor FPS performance.
• Food inspectors can conduct geo-tagged inspections.
• Currently operational in Assam, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Punjab.
• Available in Hindi and English.

Anna Sahayata Platform

• Advanced grievance redressal system.
• Accessible via WhatsApp, IVRS, and ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition).
• Pilot phase in Gujarat, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh.
• Available in 5 languages (Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Bangla, English).

Background & Significance

• India has one of the largest food distribution networks globally.
• Over 80 crore people receive food grains under PMGKAY.
• Household food expenditure has dropped by 50%, showing improved food security.
• Aligned with Digital India, Viksit Bharat, and One Nation One Ration Card.