The Ministry of Food & Public Distribution Government of India has introduced and approved, a Central Sector scheme "Integrated     Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)" which would  be fully funded by the Central Government for implementation during 2018-19  and 2019-20.

The total cost of the scheme is Rs.127.30 crore. The objectives of the scheme are as under:

1. Implementation of nation-wide portability in food grains distribution.
2.  Implementation   of   national level data   repository for de-duplication  of  beneficiary/ration cards data.
3. Integration of States/UTs    PDS   systems/applications   with   Central    PDS systems/applications and creation of integrated data infrastructure/systems across ration card management, allocation, supply chain of food grains, FPS automation, etc.
4. Employ  advanced data analytics techniques on centralized databases to bring about ,   continuous  improvements  in PDS operations.
5. Develop  advanced  web and mobile  based applications to introduce user-friendly PDS operations.
6. Improve the quality of implementation by introducing data security and information standards/benchmarks  and providing handhokling support to States/UTs.
7. Facilitate cross-learning and sharing of best practices among States/UTs.

2.     The  scheme  would comprise the following key components  and activities

1. KEY COMPONENTS OF THE SCHEME

Fragmented   systems  and non-uniform   implementation  of PDS  modules  across  States/UTs pose a challenge in introducing National Level Portability, National Level De- Duplication of ration cards and a comprehensive Management  Information System  (MIS). Public Distribution  System Network  (PDSN) will be envisaged as back-end platform for integration of the disparate databases  without  impinging on  the  States' domain  of responsibilities. Its main features are as follows

1. Creation of Central  Data Repository

It is primary   and most important  requirement   for achieving national level portability, national level de-duplication and national level Dashboard/MIS system. It is envisaged that Central repository will keep master reference data and beneficiary level FPS transaction data.  For this purpose, high end servers and storage capacity would  be provisioned at NIC cloud to store the ration card data of beneficiaries and Po S transaction details of ration card holders. This repository would be utilized as an information database and this data would be analysed by central team. Results would be shared with concerned States/UTs for further necessary action.

2. Integration with  States/UTs

Presently PDS applications of States/UTs are deployed either in NIC Cloud or State Date Centre. These application have been developed and deployed in such a way that data exchange / inter linkages among them are very limited or non-existent. This bottleneck needs to be addressed by establishing linkage with State Data Centre and periodic retrieval of information through Web  Services. There will be technological challenges such as different platform, data &  application security, network, staging and most  important challenge would be to tackle willingness of States/UTs to share information.

3. Real time data synchronization  with States/UTs

After creation of Central Repository   and integration with   States/UTs, data synchronization with States will not be a big challenge. There will be an agreement with States/UTs to make the data available on staging system in the agreed frequency. Proposed system will ensure automatic retrieval of relevant data from States/UTs in the agreed frequency and stored in the central repository for MIS generation purpose.

4. Robust communication    with States/UTs

There is strong need to have robust communication  to broadcast and  get quick response from States/UTs on progress of various Key Performance Indicators. There is no common platform  available with Department of Food  and Public Distribution  GoI that allows direct communication  with States/UTs.  A platform to be designed  which will enable DFPD,  States/UTs  and other  stakeholders to exchange information for various purposes. This platform would also be very useful for implementing portability at the national level.

5. Implementation   of National portability mechanism at Central  level

A key activity under the scheme is creation of a platform to facilitate national level portability that will ensure food- security to the NFSA beneficiaries all year round, such that NFSA beneficiaries can avail their entitlements from any of the states during short term migration without the process of surrendering and reissue of the ration cards, since existing application architecture and hardware deployment model across States/UTs may not support vision of National Portability. For ensuring the National Level Portability, DFPD   would create data repository at national level and develop state-of-the-art solution which  would enable States/UTs to  handshake and transmit food grains  allotment/lifting information across other States/UTs.

6. Creation of national facility for de-duplication of Aadhaar numbers seeded  in ration card database

The scheme  End-To-End    computerization has enabled states to .perform online management   of beneficiaries' data and seed the Aadhaar number against each individual. In order to ensure that same   Aadhaar number  is  not  seeded against more than  one beneficiary in the ration card database anywhere at national level And to enable States/UTs to check the uniqueness and   eligibility of applicants before issuing new ration card, Aadhaar  based de-duplication, national level de-duplication will  be run  on central repository of Ration cards/ PDS  beneficiaries. Identified de-duplicated data would be shared by the department/NIC with the States/UTs for further necessary action at their end.

7. Advance level data analysis & MIS   report generation

In order to improve reliability/quality and maintain the accuracy of the central repository and state ration card database, advance data analytics would be carried out to highlight inaccuracies in the data. MIS reports generated based on gap analysis of NFSA beneficiary data using advance data analytic techniques would support the State govt. to monitor and improve the quality of beneficiary data,

8. Developing  advanced  web  and mobile based  applications

Advance   web  and mobile based applications would be developed  to enable the stake holders to view the PDS systems created under computerization schemes.

2. INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR ONGOING SCHEME  ON  'END-TO- END COMPUTERIZATION OF PDS OPERATIONS' AND IM-PDS SCHEME:

1. Central Project  Monitoring  Unit (CPMU)

In the plan scheme on End-to-End computerization of TPDS operations a provision was made to meet the funds  requirement of Central Project Monitoring Unit (CPMU) set up in DFPD and  MC, the technical partner of the project.

It is necessary to have a Central Technical Expert Team in Department of Food & PD for the development   and operationalization of   PDSN, prepare effective MIS  for centralized monitoring, data analysis, facilitating national portability, de-duplication of ration cards across the country and other technical and administrative advice for resolving issues/problems faced  by   the department  and  states/UTs  for   smooth running  of computerization scheme.

2. NIC  support  as Technical  Partner

NIC   would  provide support to DFPD  as  Technical partners for implementing the scheme across the country.  For this purpose MC   would  be provided funds  to engage manpower   for  development  of Applications/  Software  utilities for performing the following activities:

• National  Portability & PDSN
• De-duplication & Analysis
• Management  Information System (MIS) & Portals Monitoring
• Development  of Web/ Mobile application
• Technical Support for existing CAS applications / FPS Automation

                        A  MoU will be signed between  this Department and MC in this regard.

3. State Project Monitoring  Unit (SPMU)

Under the earlier scheme on 'End-to-End Computerization  of   TPDS Operations' provision was made for setting up of SPMUs in states/UTs for a period of 3 years to help State/UT? Food & Civil Supplies  Departments for implementation  of the scheme, monitoring of progress, reporting, bid-process management, etc. Each SPIMU had one Consultant/Project Manager & One Junior Consultant Technical support at State/UT F&CS  headquarter for smooth operation of activities under the scheme is necessary. It is therefore proposed to have at least a Project Manager at headquarters of each state/UT and an additional Junior Project Manager in bigger states with district more than 30. The resources posted at State/UT Headquarter will also function as nodal officer to coordinate issues between DFPD/NIC and  States/UTs. In addition to this, there would be a technical support staff in each district which will provide quick resolution of issues faced at local level for smooth operation of the scheme.

4. Monitoring  by  National   Team

There will be a requirement of rigorous monitoring of the project implementation progress to identify the gaps and challenges  and also the good practices, initiative to replicate proven systems at other places. It is envisaged to create a National Monitoring Team   comprising the officers/consultants of the Department and the NIC officials drawn from the central and state NIC offices for this purpose. This team will visit States on regular basis.

5. Capacity  building and   Training

Computerized  systems   have begun  to take roots, but there is need for sustained efforts to build the capacity of the field level functionaries and deepen the understanding of the new initiatives at the level of dealers/ vigilance committee members, etc. It is proposed to provide financial assistance to the States for carrying out training programmes at district/ sub-district