Govt Launches ‘Anna Chakra’ and SCAN Portal to Modernize Public Distribution System

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched two transformative initiatives, ‘Anna Chakra’, the PDS supply chain optimization tool, and the SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal. These advancements aim to enhance efficiency and transparency in the nation’s food security mechanisms.

Anna Chakra, developed by the Department of Food and Public Distribution in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and IIT-Delhi’s Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), optimizes the logistics of PDS. Utilizing advanced algorithms, it determines the most efficient routes for the movement of food grains across supply chain nodes. With 81 crore beneficiaries relying on the world’s largest food security program, this initiative ensures faster, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable operations.

The tool has analyzed supply chains across 30 states, projecting annual savings of Rs 250 crore by reducing transportation inefficiencies. Additionally, the project has optimized operations involving 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPS) and approximately 6,700 warehouses. The interstate route optimization tool, integrated with the Railways’ Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) through the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), enhances coordination across states. Its integration with the PM Gati Shakti platform, housing geo-locations of FPSs and warehouses, further strengthens logistical planning.

The environmental benefits are equally noteworthy, with reduced fuel consumption cutting down transportation-related emissions, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.

Alongside Anna Chakra, the SCAN portal simplifies subsidy claim processes for states under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). This single-window system ensures seamless submission, scrutiny, and approval of subsidy claims, automating workflows and expediting settlement processes. This ensures faster and more transparent release of food subsidies, reducing administrative delays.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Joshi emphasized that these initiatives are transformative steps toward modernizing India’s food distribution network. “They represent a significant leap in achieving efficiency and sustainability in one of the world’s largest food security programs,” he stated.

By integrating technology and data-driven tools, the initiatives promise not only economic savings but also environmental sustainability, aligning with India’s broader goals of efficient governance and green development