NEW DELHI: Ericsson said that it will support to the World Food Programme (WFP) Trust for India to further their work on developing customised ICT solutions that will bring efficiencies across the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in Odisha.
TPDS scheme involves procurement, allocation, and transportation of food-grains as well as distribution amongst eligible beneficiaries. Operated jointly by Central and the State governments, it also includes issuance of ration cards and monitoring of Fair Price Shops.
The main aim of this partnership is to improve efficiencies in food-based safety nets for nearly 30 million food insecure people in Odisha who are the beneficiaries of this project.
In addition to creating accountability and transparency in the TPDS system, the solution will enable efficient logistics, strengthened governance and increased support to stakeholders throughout the food value chain. As part of the project, officials at the State, District and Block level as well as representatives from Gram panchayats, Social Audit and Vigilance committees will be trained on how to use the solution and monitor the overall TPDS in the state.
In order to improve the distribution of food-grains across the country, the Department of Food and Public Distribution, in association with all States and Union Territories, is implementing a plan for end-to-end computerization of TPDS that involves Digitization of Beneficiary Database, Online Allocation of food-grains, Computerization of Supply Chain Management and Grievance Redressal Mechanism and Transparency Portals.
