- Freedom from ration queues, 24×7 food grains available through biometric authentication – Minister Shri Dayaldas Baghel
Chhattisgarh has taken a significant step towards making the Public Distribution System (PDS) more transparent, secure, and convenient. Food Minister Shri Dayaldas Baghel today launched the state’s first three “Annapurti Grain ATMs” online in Raipur, Durg, and Bilaspur. With this innovation, Chhattisgarh joins a select group of states in the country where food grains are being made available to beneficiaries through Grain ATMs. This is a major initiative by the state government to bring transparency to the PDS system.
Through the Annapurna Grain ATM, ration card holders will now be able to obtain rice 24×7 at their convenience. For this, ration card holders will need to enter their Aadhaar number or ration card number on the machine’s screen, and after biometric authentication, they will be able to receive the prescribed quantity of food grains. This facility will provide relief to beneficiaries from the time constraints and queues required to purchase rations at fair price shops.
- One Nation, One Ration Card will also benefit beneficiaries from other states.
The unique feature of the Annapurna Grain ATM is that ration card holders in Chhattisgarh, as well as those from other states, will be able to access food grains through biometric authentication under the “One Nation, One Ration Card” scheme. This will also make it easier for migrant workers and beneficiaries coming to Chhattisgarh from other states to access rations.
- Chhattisgarh is the fifth state in the country to operate Grain ATMs.
Annapurna Grain ATMs are currently operating in Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Gujarat, and Odisha. Chhattisgarh has now joined the list of states operating Grain ATMs. The launch of three Grain ATMs in the state marks a significant milestone in the effective use of technology and innovation in the PDS system.
- Food grain storage capacity up to 2500 kg
The Annapurna Grain ATM, established in collaboration with the World Food Programme, has a storage capacity of approximately 2,500 kilograms. Loading of rice into the machine will be done through a fully automated system. After biometric authentication, the machine will dispense the prescribed quantity of rice. This will further strengthen transparency and monitoring of the food distribution process.
- Time saving for every beneficiary from the poor to the rich
Food Minister Shri Dayaldas Baghel said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and the guidance of the state government, continuous innovations are being made to make the PDS system modern, transparent, and public-friendly. The Annapurna Grain ATM is an important initiative in this direction. Now, beneficiaries will be able to receive ration at any time convenient to them after completing their other tasks. He said that the use of Grain ATMs will save time and reduce crowds and queues at fair price shops. The launch of Annapurna Grain ATMs will make the ration distribution system in Chhattisgarh more modern, secure, reliable, and convenient. This technology-based initiative will allow beneficiaries to receive food grains in a time-efficient manner and provide a new impetus to transparency in the PDS.
- Effective steps towards transparent PDS
Ms. Nazino Hossimoni, representative of the World Food Programme, congratulated and congratulated the Chhattisgarh government on this innovation. She stated that the establishment of the Annapurna Grain ATM was made possible by the efforts of the state government, Food Minister Mr. Dayaldas Baghel, and Food Department Secretary Mrs. Reena Babasaheb Kangale. She described it as an important step towards a transparent and effective PDS system.
On the occasion of inauguration, Education Minister Shri Gajendra Yadav, former Assembly Speaker Shri Prem Prakash Pandey, MLA Shri Moti Lal Sahu, Director of Food Department Dr. Farha Alam, MD of Civil Supplies Corporation Smt. Iffat Ara, Additional Director Shri Neelima Elma along with local public representatives and beneficiaries were present.
