Pralhad Joshi Launches ‘Anna Chakra’ and SCAN Portal

The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, launched ‘Anna Chakra’ and SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal, marking a significant step toward modernizing India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) and subsidy claim mechanisms.

Anna Chakra: PDS Supply Chain Optimization Tool

Purpose

• To enhance efficiency in the logistics network of the PDS across India, ensuring the seamless movement of food grains.

Development

• Created in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT-Delhi.
• Utilizes advanced algorithms to identify optimal routes for food grain movement.

Features and Benefits

• Supports the world’s largest food security program benefiting 81 crore people.

Cost Savings

• Estimated savings of ₹250 crore annually.
• Reduction of QKM (Quantity x Distance) by 58 crore quintal-kilometers.

Environmental Impact

• Lower carbon footprint due to reduced transportation-related emissions.
• Savings in fuel consumption and logistics costs.

Scope

• Covers 30 states, 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPSs), and ~6,700 warehouses.

Integration

• Linked with FOIS (Freight Operations Information System) through the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).
• Integrated with the PM Gati Shakti platform, including geo-locations of FPSs and warehouses.

Significance

• Supports stakeholders from farmers to FPS operators, making the supply chain more robust.
• Ensures the timely delivery of food grains across the country.

SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) Portal

Purpose

• To streamline the subsidy claim process under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Features

• Single-window submission of subsidy claims by states.
• End-to-end workflow automation for claim scrutiny, approval, and settlement.
• Uses rule-based processing for efficient subsidy release.

Benefits

• Speeds up the settlement process for food subsidies.
• Enhances transparency and accountability in subsidy disbursement.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Shri Pralhad Joshi launches ‘Anna Chakra’, the Public Distribution System Supply chain optimisation tool and SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal
	‘Anna Chakra’	SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal
Purpose	Optimize PDS supply chain logistics	Streamline subsidy claims under NFSA.
Developed By	WFP and FITT, IIT-Delhi.	Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD).
Key Features	– Route optimization using advanced algorithms. – Single-window subsidy claim submission.	– Integration with FOIS and PM Gati Shakti platform. – End-to-end workflow automation for claims processing.
Scope	Covers 30 states, 4.37 lakh FPSs, and ~6,700 warehouses.	Facilitates state governments’ subsidy claims.
Benefits	– ₹250 crore annual savings. – Faster subsidy settlement.	– Reduced carbon footprint and logistics costs. – Enhances transparency in subsidy disbursement.
Environmental Impact	Reduced emissions due to optimized transportation routes.
Integration	Linked with FOIS and PM Gati Shakti platform.	Fully automated with rule-based subsidy release.
Significance	Supports 81 crore beneficiaries in the world’s largest food security program.	Ensures timely and transparent subsidy distribution to states.