End-to-End Computerization of TPDS Operations

(E2EPDS)

National Informatics Centre (NIC)

Department of Electronics & Information Technology Government of India

Common Application Software

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:Background: Provisioning on End-to-end Computerization of TPDS Operations

Scheme on “End-to-End Computerization of TPDS Operations” launched by

the Government of India on cost-sharing basis for implementation during the

12th Five Year Plan (2012-17)

The Scheme aims to revamp and strengthen the entire TPDS and thus

making the system more transparent, efficient, effective and accountable with

the help of ICT

The End-to-End Computerization of PDS (E2EPDS) scheme initially

comprises implementation of the following two major components:

Component – I Component – II

Digitization of Ration Cards/ beneficiary and other

databases

Capturing sale transaction

data

Computerization of Supply-Chain Management Beneficiary authentication

Setting up of Transparency Portal & Grievance

Redressal mechanism

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:Implementation Approach: Centre & State Government Collaborative Approach

Centre (National Informatics Centre (NIC) is the Implementation Agency and technical

partner for DoF&PD - NIC also providing common application software for the

scheme

State States/UTs may choose NIC or other agencies as their technology solution partner

for implementation of scheme

A MoU has been signed between DoF&PD and respective State

Governments/UT Administrations before release of funds

A MoU has also been signed between DoF&PD and NIC regarding the roles

and responsibilities assigned to NIC

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:Public Distribution System: Key Stakeholders & Need of ICT to bring an Integrated Approach

State

Civil

Supplies

Corporation

Central

Government

District

Offices

State

Government

Block/Taluk

Supply

Office

1. Procurement of grains

2. Central Pool

Stock Maintenance

3. Scheme-wise

Dispatch to State Govt.

4. Movement of grains

between states

1. State pool stocks

Scheme-wise issues

2. Depositor Ledger

3. Scheme-wise status

1. Fair Price Shop

details

2. Beneficiary details

Details

1. Receipt of goods

from State Block Civil

Supplies Office to FCI

Godowms

2. Issue of Commodities

FPS State

Warehouses Distribution

Centers

FCI

1.Procurement of

grains

2. Stock Maintenance

3. TPDS operations

State Agencies

Stakeholder Identity Management System (SIMS) Master Data Repository–Location, Depot, office, FPS, Agency, Caste Category,

Commodity

Online RC Management System

(ePDS) Online Ration Cards & FPS

management

Allocation & Supply Chain

Module (FEAST) Stock Inventory Management,

allocation policy, Online generation of

allocation order, release order, truck

challans and delivery orders

Existing Ration Card Management System

(ERCMS) One time Legacy RC Data

Digitization

COMPONENT-II

Fair Price Shop Automation –Electronic Record, Transmit & Transaction (ePOS)

Toll Free Helpline

An established & well connected

Grievance Redressal Mechanism

COMPONENT-I

Details

As required

Transactional data flow-commodity sales, quantity ,

amount

Ben

efic

iary

lin

ked

co

mm

od

ity

allo

cati

on

q

uan

tity

, rat

es

Required RC count

Option 1-No Sale possible Complete Master Details

Option 2(Complete flow till sales using cleaned data

Cleaned Data

Migration

Required Data

Flow

Required RC flow

Option 3(Complete flow till sales using legacy data)

Central Dashboard MIS Reporting & Status tracking using reports,

graphs, charts, tables, as well Monitoring of

Project Progress

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Domain Knowledge of Stock Management along with Procurement & Movement

Effective Use of ICT to bring efficient management of information at each level & transparency in the system

Allocation & Supply Chain Management of food grains upto FPS level

Solution Architecture for CAS

Designing of Core of Common Application Software (CAS)

Sale of commodity to the beneficiaries using POS in online/offline mode of communication

Developed the processes of deriving the RC Data from NPR, SECC, Family Register

PDS as a platform

Standards for Data & Metadata

Data Dictionaries

Mechanism of Registration and Verification of stakeholders & beneficiaries

Mechanism to identify the bogus/fraudulent ration cards

Mechanism for distribution of Commodity after bio-metric verification of beneficiary

Key Learnings

from Pilot

projects

Process

Standardization

Technological

Advancement

Supply Chain

Improvements

Change

Management

Capacity Building & Training for stakeholders which are extremely important elements for successful country-wide project implementation

Ways of spreading awareness about electronic PDS processes among beneficiaries

:Pilot Project Study: Building Block to create a robust Common Application Software

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:Digitization: Provision for Creating a Digital Repository of all the Master Data

Ration Cards (RC)

Availability of beneficiary information in electronic form.

Ration card services like addition / deletion/ modification available online through

F&CS offices, service centres, kiosks, etc.

SMS alerts automatically generated for ration card related requests

Validation and de-duplication of data now possible. Databases of Aadhaar, NPR,

SECC, electoral data, etc. can also be used to compare data.

Other databases

Digitized information created regarding F&CS offices, wholesalers, FPSs,

godowns, etc.

Hosting of databases on State portals without restrictions on public access

Outcome

Enable correct list of beneficiaries available on public portal

Removal of bogus cards and better targeting of food subsidies

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Stakeholder Identity Management System (SIMS) Module: An online platform to

create the master data specific to the need of Public Distribution System across States

Features

A single repository of information on DFSO, AFSO, Inspector, Agency, Godown,

Wholesaler, FPS etc.

Ensures uniformity and national level standards

Enhances inter-operability

Ensures user friendly outputs in transparency portal including search

Provides unique code for each Stake Holder

:SIMS: Identification & Codification of each Stakeholder

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Online application for New Ration Card request with auto acknowledgement

and online status monitoring.

Work flow to process Ration Card Transfer, Surrender, Cancellation and

issue of Duplicate.

Integration with UID or NPR data as and when available.

Separate dashboards for District/Taluka Food Authorities to monitor,

approve and process various operations of Ration Card Management.

Provides linkage with Allocation and Supply Chain Management module

for seamless data exchange in standard format.

Real time information dissemination through portal and SMS.

Data entry operator gets the New Ration Card Entry Form for filling the

details of an applicant

:Online Ration Card Management: Work flow based application for issuance & modification of ration card

Involves generating allocation order up to FPS level taking into consideration

the number of Ration Cards and closing balance at each FPS

Feature to enter and update commodity wise allocation policy for each month.

Scale of issue includes:

► Scheme type

► Commodity wise quantity and price

► Per unit or per family basis

► Cost in terms of Margins, Freight, Taxes, etc.

► Variation in costs even with in State

Auto generation of Allocation Orders and making them available at all levels

through internet

Auto archival of Policy Changes and Allocation Orders

Allocation order related information available on public portal to bring

transparency in PDS operation

:Allocation: Complete Automation right from allocation order to closing balance

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Online Allocation Order & Supply Chain-Closing Balance

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Online Allocation Order & Supply Chain-Policy Master

Includes Payment by FPS and State agencies to FCI, Generation of Delivery

order, Issue planning, Generation of Truck Challan & Gate Pass and Capturing

Acknowledgement Receipt of FPS dealer

Advantages of SCM Automation:

Improved efficiency and better monitoring of grain movement and Stock management.

Real time information dissemination through portal and SMS.

Linkage with Allocation, Stock Availability, Receipt &Issue data and also with updated beneficiary database.

Integration with FCI Release Order module.

:Supply Chain Management: Automated Tracking of Commodity movement from Central pool to FPS

Each state had variations in terms of functionality, NIC brought all the states on

a common platform through a comprehensive Gap Analysis study.

Facilitate Payment by Agencies – Post allocation order, state agencies deposit money into FCI

account for getting Release Order

Release Order Generation by FCI – FCI generates Release Order based on Allocation Order

and payment received from State agencies

Commodity Issue– Release order based commodity issuance by FCI depot. Accordingly Truck

Challan and Gate Passes are generated through the system, also records the time of movement

of the truck outside the Godown

Facilitate Payment by FPS – FPS owner makes payment to State agencies based on quantity

prescribed in their allocation order

Permit by State Govt. – State Govt. provides permit to State agencies to allow lifting

Delivery Order by State Depot – State depot generates Delivery order for FPS dealer against

the payment received from them

Delivery at FPS: Commodity for the respective FPS gets delivered and acknowledgment receipt

is recorded by State agency/depot

Information Dissemination through SMS

:Supply Chain Management: Providing loads of features making an efficient & transparent system

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:Grievance Redressal: Providing a platform for beneficiaries to express PDS related grievances

Facility to lodge grievances online for public

Online Tracking of Grievances

Work Flow based processing of Grievances

Escalation Mechanism for delay in resolving grievances

SMS and Email based alerts to user for status tracking

Grievances resolution in three levels (GRO / AGRO / AO).

Report generation for auditing and analysis purposes

Outcome:

Introduce transparency & public accountability in the implementation of TPDS

:Public GrievanceRedressal System: Grievance Redressal Mechanism for E2EPDS

• Empower the PDS beneficiary / citizen by providing a

platform to express PDS related grievances and track the

status of the same, and thus aid in bringing transparency

into PDS

.

:Online Public Grievances Lodging Form:

User just need to enter his Grievances ID. Provided at the time of lodging, for tracking of his Grievances status.

:Feature to Check Grievance Status:

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Grievances

ID

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PDS Portal Of India

The Public Gateway to TPDS

A single unified information system to achieve basic level of transparency in

PDS, a National PDS Portal http://pdsportal.nic.in was launched in Oct’2012.

Beneficiaries, asocial activists can get complete view of PDS at one place

The portal is envisaged to provide latest information and the data related to

the following:

Government Orders

Contact details of State Officers upto Food Inspector level

Government & Private Agencies working for PDS

Profile of all FCI, State Government owned & Hired Warehouses & Depots.

Availability of National FPS Dealer Register

Beneficiary Register

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Status of Ration Cards Application

Allocation & Offtake Figures upto FPS level

Information on Movement of Foodgrains

PDS Helpline Numbers of All States

Complaint Management shall be Linked through Portal

Links of all State PDS Portals.

Availability of PDS Profile of all States

Vital Statistics and indicators on PDS data

Archival of Information

PDS Portal Of India…Contd

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Dashboard

Stakeholders Digitization Progress

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Ration Cards Digitization Progress

Dashboard

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:FPS Automation: Accounting the allocation to the right & deserving beneficiary

This model is applicable for FPS’s where full time reliable connectivity is

available. Transactions are carried out using a POS device

Pre-requisites for the online or fully connected model

Biometrics of family members as per the National Biometric Standards Aadhaar based authentication, beneficiary should have been enrolled with Aadhaar and Aadhaar number should have been issued

EID or UID number to be seeded in PDS database

Tablet device/POS terminals as per standard specifications.

Redundant all time connectivity (GPRS/GSM/SWAN/Broadband/).

Option to generate and validate OTP

Advantages of online model

Beneficiary allowed to lift the entitled commodity from any FPS (Portability)

Frequent policy changes can be accommodated

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• As data is de-duplicated hence no bogus transactions are possible through

online authentication

• No need to store, maintain the voluminous biometrics data in PDS servers

• On provisioning appropriate data transfer mechanism like GPRS, all the

beneficiaries’ transactions shall be posted online

• Online reconciliation of stocks and thus with provisioning of additional

stocks at the FPS, portability shall be made possible

Advantages

Aadhaar based Authentication using POS

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A single version controlled application can be rolled out across the country

with

With minimum state wise custimization which allows the state

departments can focus better on the implementation of the project.

Configurable by the respective States

Cloud hosting model can be adopted where departments do not have to

purchase the entire physical ICT infrastructure required.

A common PDS application may be hosted in a multi-tenant basis

Activities like Government process re-engineering carried out to make a

generic product

Key principles of e-Kranti shall be followed upto a possible extent

:CAS: Productization Approach

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The single flavor of the application to be rolled out for all 36 States/UTs in a cloud

based environment.

Tab based portal be developed for various types of users such as beneficiaries, FPS

owners and department officials.

PDS application Access to Portal for departmental officials shall be based on multi-

factor authentication such as Digital Signature or Biometric based login for officials

Graphic representation of information such as inventory at godowns and movement

of trucks etc.

Mobile apps to be developed for citizen to access data and services

Provision for storage of unstructured data such as attachments and photographs to

be stored in a common Document Management system and linked with E2EPDS

database.

FPS automation shall include online Aadhaar authentication

:CAS: Next Steps-Productization Approach

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Configuration Management

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Configuration Management-Pages & Controls

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Configuration Management-Dynamic layout settings

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Configuration Management-Access Controls

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Configuration Management-Local Language settings

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Direct Benefit Transfer Capability The PDS Stakeholders Gateway to TPDS

Government is looking forward to implement DBT for food grains initially in the

UTs & few districts of the States on pilot basis.

3 models have been proposed:

Direct cash transfer of food subsidy to bank account of beneficiaries every

month. Beneficiaries may purchase food grains anywhere from the market

FPS will be supplied food grains at MSP or near market prices.

Beneficiaries purchases food grains at designated prices from FPS. The

difference of MSP/Designated price & Central Issue Price is credited to

the beneficiaries’ bank accounts in advance against actual purchase from

FPS.

Follow existing manual process of issuance of food grains, with or without

POS, aided by digitized database seeded with Aadhaar

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Module-Wise implementaion support

Modules States covered

Stakeholder Identity

Management System

Assam, Haryana, HP, Kerala, UP, AP, Bihar, Chandigarh, Dadar & Nagar

Haveli, Daman & Diu, Delhi, Goa, J&K, Jharkhand, Lakshwadeep, MP,

Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Punjab,

Puducherry, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana, UK, West Bengal

Ration Card Data

Digitization)

Assam, , Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, HP, Manipur,

Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Puducherry, Sikkim, UK, UP, Delhi,

Telangana, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Goa, J&K, Meghalaya,

Mizoram, Rajasthan, Tripura

Ration Card Management

Goa, Lakshwadeep, Maharashtra, Sikkim, AP, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana,

Telangana

Allocation & Supply Chain

Management

Chandigarh, Goa, HP, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Sikkim, UK, UP,

Jharkhand(3 districts)

Public Grievance

Redressal & Monitoring

System (PGRAMS)

Goa, Assam, Bihar, Kerala, Mizoram, Nagaland

Thank You Contacts: BVC Rao, bvcrao@nic.in Ravindra Kumar, ravindra.kumar@nic.in

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