RAIPUR: The computerisation and information technology reforms introduced by Chhattisgarh in the public distribution system (PDS) to plug leakages and check diversion will soon be “replicated” by the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
The functioning of the PDS in the Maoist-affected Chhattisgarh was reviewed by the visiting J&K food and consumer affairs minister Choudhary Zulfkar Ali who revealed that his state has geared-up to innovate PDS implementation and improve the performance through computerisation. The conflict-ridden state has begun a process to have e-ration cards for its citizens.
The records of over 119 lakh people -- about 95 percent of the J&K population, will figure in the digitised list of beneficiaries, under the National Food Security Act, the officials told.
Besides learning the various structural, legal, technical and procedural reforms introduced in the Chhattisgarh PDS, the J&K minister was equally inspired knowing the PDS effectively delivers in remote tribal hamlets and even in the worst Maoist-affected regions. The implementation of the PDS has never been an issue in the restive districts of Chhattisgarh, for the obvious reason that the Maoists would not like to antagonise their popular support base among the tribal villagers.
“Reviewing the reforms of Chhattisgarh PDS model, the J&K minister invited our technical team to assist and share the experience with PDS computerisation that eventually paved way for us to enact the nation’s first food security act in 2013. The Chhattisgarh team will visit the J&K in the coming months to train their officials”, the principal system analysts in the National Informatics Centre (NIC) at Raipur, who shared technical know-how and PDS challenges with the J&K minister, told Express.
Computerisation in Chhattisgarh led to plugging of leakages as all relevant information on PDS including the beneficiaries remain on-line. The reforms introduced in Chhattisgarh during 2006-08 have “checked corruption and ensured transparency”.
Going ahead into a system of managing e-ration cards, the J&K is keen to learn the unified ration card database, automated allotment-distribution, submission of fair price shop (FPS) sale details through statutory declaration, web-based application at distribution centres, PDS truck dispatch information through mobile phone SMS to FPS and consumers, resolution of complaints and community participation among other things.