Digital Initiatives by the Union Food and Public Distribution Ministry
The Union Food and Public Distribution Ministry launched several digital initiatives on November 18, 2025, aimed at modernizing warehousing operations, improving supply chain efficiency, and enhancing transparency across the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Anna Sahayata Holistic AI Solution (ASHA)
- A major AI-based platform that enables beneficiaries to provide feedback on ration distribution through AI-enabled calls in their preferred language.
- The platform operates at a cost of ₹5 lakh, significantly lower than the cost of maintaining a call center for PDS beneficiaries.
- Allows beneficiaries to report issues like entitlement receipt, quality of foodgrains, and challenges at Fair Price Shops.
- Uses multilingual translation, sentiment analysis, automated grievance categorization, and offers real-time dashboards for administrators.
- Reaches 20 lakh beneficiaries monthly across India, developed with the Wadhwani Foundation and backed by India AI mission via Bhashini's multilingual AI infrastructure.
Supporting Government Initiatives
- Supports the government’s mission to reduce logistics costs and minimize turnover time, in alignment with the PM Gati Shakti programme.
- The programme synchronizes different modes of transportation, laying the foundation for an integrated logistics ecosystem.
Central Warehousing Corporation's Initiatives
Bhandaran 360
- A new Enterprise Resource Planning platform implemented ahead of schedule.
- Integrates 41 modules covering HR, finance, marketing, warehouse management, contract management, project monitoring, and other core functions.
Smart EXIM Warehouse System
- Launched for container freight stations and general warehouses.
ANNA DARPAN
- A new microservices-based platform that replaces the existing Depot Online System.
- Connects key activities such as procurement, storage, movement, sales, quality checks, labor management, and contract monitoring under one integrated system.
- Serves as a single unified source of truth for both FCI and DFPD.
