ePDS Project Plan&Timeline

7/29/2019 ePDS Project Plan&Timeline

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fc

Departm

entofFood&Civ

ilS

upplies,

BIHAR

2013

-20

14

ProjectPlan

fore-PDS

A Project Plan to implement e-PDS (ElectronicPublic Distribution System) POC in Patna.

Glodyne Technoserve LimitedFortune 2000, C-03 Ground

Floor, Bandra Kurla Complex,Bandra (E),Mumbai 51, India

Tel: 022-66963333, Fax:02266963344,

www.glodynetechnoserve.com
http://www.glodynetechnoserve.com/http://www.glodynetechnoserve.com/


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Table of Contents

1. Background .............................................................................................. 3

2. How Government operates the PDS...........................................................3

3. PDS System Today.....................................................................................4

4. Challenges and their impact in the present PDS........................................6

PDS Leakages................................................................................................... 7Quantity and Quality of disbursement..............................................................7System Transparency and Accountability.........................................................8Grievance Redressal Mechanisms.....................................................................8

5. Electronic Public Distribution System (e-PDS) ...........................................8

5.1 Process Flow of generic e-PDS solution................................................8

5.2 Sample Workflow of allocation, disbursement and monitoring...........10

5.3 General Features of the System..........................................................11

5.4 Scope and deliverables of e-PDS POC ................................................12

5.5 Methodology for the proposed e-PDS POC..........................................13

Selection of the fair price shops......................................................................13Creation of a Beneficiary Database using e-Shakti infrastructure...................14Disbursement tracking for individual beneficiary ..........................................14Information Communication Technology Infrastructure deployment..............14Disbursement Process workflow.....................................................................16

Automation of Point of Sale (PoS) ..................................................................17

Improved workflow for monitoring..................................................................176. Benefits of ICT intervention to PDS System..............................................18

7. Considerations for Commercials...............................................................18

8. Project timelines.......................................................................................19

9. The Future of Public Distribution System (PDS)........................................19

10. Summary................................................................................................19

Annexure I......................................................................................................20Annexure II..................................................................................................... 21Annexure III.................................................................................................... 23Annexure IV (ePDS Online Application Screenshot)........................................24


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1.Background

PDS means distribution of essential commodities to a large number of

people through a network of FPS on a recurring basis. The

commodities are Wheat, Rice, Sugar & Kerosene. PDS evolved as a

major instrument of the Governments economic policy for ensuring

availability of food grains to the public at affordable prices as well as

for enhancing the food security for the poor. It is an important

constituent of the strategy for poverty eradication and is intended to

serve as a safety net for the poor whose number is more than 330

million and are nutritionally at risk. PDS with a network of about 4.78

lakh Fair Price Shops (FPS) is perhaps the largest distribution network

of its type in the world.

Indias Public Distribution System (PDS) has been into effect since

1951 and it is one of the largest retail distribution systems of its type.

The Objectives of the PDS are:

i. Providing food grains and other essential items to vulnerable

sections of the society at reasonable (subsidized) prices

ii. To put an indirect check on the open market prices of various

items

The policy of setting up of FPS's owes its initiation to national food

policy, its implementation remains the direct responsibility of the

state governments. In order to operate the PDS effectively, the

Central Government issues guidelines from time to time to the states

regarding the operational details of the PDS.

2.How Government operates the PDSThe Public Distribution System (PDS) is the key element of the

Government's food security system in most of the developing

countries.


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PDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the

State Governments. The Central Government has taken the

responsibility for procurement, storage, transportation and bulk

allocation of food grains, etc. The responsibility for distributing the

same to the consumers through the network of Fair Price Shops

(FPSs) rests with the State Governments. The operational

responsibilities including allocation within the State, identification of

families below poverty line, issue of ration cards, supervision and

monitoring the functioning of FPSs rest with the State Governments.

Food Subsidy is provided in the budget of the Department of Food

and Public Distribution to meet the difference between the economiccost of food grains and their sales realization at the Central Issue

Prices for TPDS (Targeted PDS) and other welfare schemes. In

addition, the Central Government also procures food grains for

meeting the requirements of buffer stock. Hence, part of the food

subsidy also goes towards meeting the carrying cost of the buffer

stock. The subsidy is provided to FCI under TPDS and other welfare

schemes and for maintaining the buffer stock of food grains as

measure of food security.

The quantum of food subsidy depends on the level of procurement of

food grains and offtake under TPDS and other welfare schemes. The

budgetary estimate for food subsidy during 2009-2010 was about Rs.

46,000 Crores. (Reference- http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/what-is-the-

extent-of-food-subsidy-in-india/)

3.PDS System TodayFollowing the distribution process for all the commodities

except kerosene
http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/what-is-the-extent-of-food-subsidy-in-india/http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/what-is-the-extent-of-food-subsidy-in-india/http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/what-is-the-extent-of-food-subsidy-in-india/http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/what-is-the-extent-of-food-subsidy-in-india/


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It is an instrument for ensuring availability of certain essential

commodities at easily affordable prices especially for the poor who

form almost 40% of the entire population. The Government, via

their own agencies, procures and stocks essential commodities like

food grains, sugar, edible oil, domestic fuel, cloth etc., which are

released every month for distribution through the PDS network

across the nation. These commodities are distributed to the public

through a network of Government Nominated Shops (FPS).

Following is the process followed for kerosene Distribution:


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In the eighties, given the

increases in the food grains

production and the resilience

in the agricultural production

scenario, the Government of

India decided to operate a

system whereby certain norms

were fixed regarding the

quantities to be held by the

Food Corporation of India at

different points of time during

the year, thus merging the

stocks meant for normal

distribution and buffer stocks.

The TPDS system today supports over 40 Crore Indians below the

poverty line with monthly supply of subsidized food grains. The

system also provides gainful employment for 4.78 Lakh Fair Price

Shops Owners, their employees and hired labour who work at the FCI

and state warehousing warehouse.

PDS also has become a cornerstone of government development

policy and is tied to implementation of most rural development

programs. PDS is also a key driver of public sentiment and is an

important and very visible metric of government performance.

4.Challenges and their impact in the present

PDSThere are many systematic challenges that plague the PDS system

today and the key ones are described below:


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PDS Leakages

The TPDS currently suffers from a number of issues. Due to

these issues allotted quota of specified food articles does not

reach the intended underprivileged/needy segments of society:

A large number of families living below the poverty line have

not been enrolled and have no ration cards

A number of bogus ration cards which do not correspond to

real families, exist in the BPL & AAY categories. Food drawn

on the basis of these bogus cards is a significant leakage

from the system. Additionally, these extra cards inflate the

number of BPL & AAY cards reducing the amount of food

available to every rightful beneficiary family.

A number of instances where benefits are being availed in

the names of rightfully entitled families without their

knowledge.

Errors in categorization of families that lead to BPL families

getting APL cards and vice versa

A significant portion of benefits provided to the APL category

under the TPDS, are not availed by the intended

beneficiaries and are instead diverted out of the system

Quantity and Quality of disbursement

The quantity and quality of food grains delivered to the

beneficiary is rarely in conformity with the policy. Many FPS are

open only for a few days in a month and beneficiaries who do

not visit the FPS in those days are denied their right. The FPS

also uses multiple excuses to charge higher rates and deliver

reduced quantity of food grains.

There are also significant differences in the manner in which the

Center and States arrive at the number of BPL families. This

mismatch usually means lower allotments for each family.


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System Transparency and Accountability

The most serious flaw plaguing the system at present is the lack

of transparency and accountability in its functioning. The

system lacks transparency and accountability at all levels

making monitoring of the system extremely difficult.

Grievance Redressal Mechanisms

There are numerous entities like Vigilance committee, Anti-

Hoarding Cells constituted to ensure smooth functioning of the

PDS system. Their impact is virtually non-existent on the ground

and as a result, malpractices abound to the great discomfiture

of the common man.

Apart from the challenges described, transportation of food

grains and appointment of dealer of Fair Price Shops have also

become difficult issues. Viability of the FPS is already a major

concern and this would get amplified once PDS leakages are

brought under control.

5.Electronic Public Distribution System (e-PDS)Earlier attempts for addressing the challenges have focused on

identifying the Physical Theft and used tools like additional Human

monitoring, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) on trucks to track the

movement of trucks and Electronic Weigh bridges. However these

tools cannot address the PDS leakages that predominantly stem from

the bogus and shadow ration cards in the system.

5.1 Process Flow of generic e-PDS solution


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5.2 Sample Workflow of allocation, disbursement and

monitoring


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5.3 General Features of the System Superb Identification and Verification Mechanism The system will

adapt dual, bio-metric cum beneficiary card based identification

mechanism for the identification of the consumers and FPS

operators. Integrating different component of the system like

registration, allocation of commodities to FPS using a single web

platform to provide control of management to the concerned

authorities.

Integration of different offices (Head office/ Administrative office/

Warehouses/ FPS) to eliminate the duplication of work and control

the cost of information transaction. Location wise consolidation of information - It will collect and

consolidate the data from all the locations and generate the

desired reports to present the real picture of the different regions,

activities, performance and efficiency.

On-line information exchange and processing It would be web

based system and the information will be automatically

exchanged across all the sites and Central Data Warehouse Serveron real time basis. This Restricts unauthorized usage The

biometric system access control and maintenance of high integrity

of data throughout the system restricts any unauthorized access,

duplicity and omission of data / information in the system,

however the system will allow authorized corrections in the

system.

Safer Information transaction - Specially written encryption and

routines will be integrated for the proper and safe transfer of

information over Internet related media and to avoid any hacking

and corruption.

All users of the application module will be divided into logical user

types; the access level for each type will be dependent on the

profile and duties/ power delegated to the user.


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Report Generation - The key to better and faster decision-making

today is the presentation of data in the form of relevant

information. Keeping this in view, the system would be designed to

allow the users to view different reports. Universal Access - The

MIS reports would be available to the concerned authorities 24 x 7,

in any corner of the world.

Availability of information - The system will give an additional

advantage that as and when the administration wants to provide

access to agents, associates, clients via Internet, the information

need not to be re-written. Every such information available with

the system can easily be made available to them.

5.4 Scope and deliverables of e-PDS POCBy leveraging e-Shakti project infrastructure, the solution can

be implemented swiftly and cost effectively. Scope of POC

phase will address the following challenges.

1.1.1 Scope at high level PDS leakage at FPS level due to fake disbursement and

black marketing of food grains by making disbursement

process based on biometric identification and

authentication

Weeding out of bogus ration card by using e-Shakti card

in place of ration card

Non transparency and accountability will be addressed by

daily reporting of stock position and the individual

beneficiary offtake

Overhead and error due to manual intervention can be

minimized by direct capturing of transaction to the

handheld device

For activity list please refer the Annexure I


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1.1.2 Deliverables at high level Awareness report for the awareness program carried out

as pre-data collection procedure for the remaining

beneficiary linked to identified shop

Data collection report for the remaining beneficiary linked

to identified shop. AFIS report to remove duplication for

the remaining beneficiary linked to identified shop

e-Shakti database modification and update report with

modified BPL status and linked shop details

e-Shakti card distribution report

Distribution report for Handheld deployed with e-PDS

software e-PDS portal deployment and its access through

internet for various MIS

Handheld usage and Web Portal training report for the

different stakeholders

FMS with Call based and Web based support for FPS

owner and Govt. official(9:00 AM-9:PM)

MIS report through Online e-PDS portal for the live

project. (See : Annexure IV)

5.5 Methodology for the proposed e-PDS POCThe draft of food security Act. implicitly requires a

computerization of various elements & transparency in the PDS

system. The key components of the proposed solution and how

they can be implemented in a rapid and cost effective manner

using e-Shakti infrastructure is briefly described in this section.

Selection of the fair price shops

While selecting the fair price shop following has been

considered

Total Population and remaining population for which e-

Shakti data is captured


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Total e-Shakti card distributed and remaining distribution

Infrastructure facility

Creation of a Beneficiary Database using e-Shakti

infrastructureThe state government should create a high quality beneficiary

database, preferably commencing from a house-to-house

survey.

Existing e-Shakti beneficiary database will be modified and

updated to suit the needs of PDS system..Data for the

remaining beneficiary linked to identified FPS will also be

collected in compliance to e-Shakti data collection procedure.

Disbursement tracking for individual beneficiary

Eligible Beneficiaries do not avail of their entire allotment due

to various reasons that include unavailability of funds, usage of

food grains grown by them and temporary migration, but most

FPS owners tend to report a complete offtake. A mechanism is

required to be put in place to accurately track the real offtake

by beneficiaries.The ideal option is the deployment of Point of Sale (PoS) system

that is equipped with a fingerprint reader to positively identify a

beneficiary before an issue is made. The PoS system can

generate the receipt and automate the bookkeeping reducing

the time required for a transaction. The data on eligible

beneficiaries for the next month is transferred to the PoS each

month with the offtake information collected for the previous

month.

Information Communication Technology Infrastructuredeployment

Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure will

be deployed at central data centre and FPS. Central data center


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will host the beneficiary database and web based MIS portal for

crucial MIS functionality needed by the Department.

Key offices of the Food Department including the Secretariat,

Commissioner cell, District Offices, Block offices and Whole Sale

Points can connect to the web based portal using internet.

Software will include beneficiary activation and their offtake

analysis system, an automated allotment system and MIS

system that will cater to basic needs of the Department.


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Disbursement Process workflow


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Automation of Point of Sale (PoS)

PoS will be loaded with card holder details

Pos will do Verification through biometric PoS will be programmed with required software

PoS can work on battery for 8 hours

PoS with built in GPRS for internet connectivity

Pos Handheld device will have USB port, Serial Port, Smart Card

Reader ,Printer, Ethernet port, Touch Screen and Finger print

verifier

Detail specification is attached in the Annexure II

Improved workflow for monitoring


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6.Benefits of ICT intervention to PDS SystemPresent e-Shakti infrastructure coupled with the proposed e-PDS POC

aims to bring the following benefit to PDS.

Better Identification Better identification of individuals andfamilies with reviewed BPL status and FPS shop association.

This will lead to better targeting, increased transparency and

better functioning of the system.

Biometric Authentication A mechanism of verifying the

biometric ID of the person at the time of delivery of grains will

help in improving the disbursement process.

Technology Support Powerful information network can be

leveraged by other department as well.

Duplicate and Ghost Detection AFIS process will weed out

such possibility for better targeting

Support for PDS reform The combined platform can

become an important identifier in banking services and day-to-

day needs of the resident.

7.Considerations for CommercialsThe following has been considered to arrive at the commercials for

implementation of e-PDS POC for the identified shop.

1. Awareness and Data Collection for the remaining beneficiary.

2. Data Authentication, mapping and modification for entire block.

3. Small Server room having connectivity with e-Shakti data centre.

4. e-PDS portal and handheld Software Application development for

the POC phase.

5. Internet Connectivity for server room and handheld devices.

6. Handheld terminals (to be owned by the FPS owner at PoS).

7. Training to all Stake holders(FPS shop owner, Marketing officer,

department employee).

8. Help Desk with one support staff.


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9. Grievance Management System.

10. Maintenance of all systems for Pilot Phase

8.Project timelinesThe live project duration would be for One month. Activity wisedetails are provided in Annexure I

9.The Future of Public Distribution System

(PDS)The systematic changes proposed provide the capability to implement

far-reaching reforms. Systematic efficiency improving changes that

can be explored include:

Roaming Ration Cards providing an opportunity to short-term

migrants to move their ration cards to their new area or work.

Direct Cash Transfer Program where the subsidy will be

transferred into the bank account of the beneficiary.

Choice of Fair Price Shops should improve quality of service and

this solution allows the incorporation of either limited or full

choice of FPS.

10. SummaryThe e-PDS POC has the specific objective of creating high-quality

beneficiary database without duplicate and ghost identity, improving

the targeting of benefits by using the existing e-Shakti infrastructure.

The efficiency improvements in the PDS system will make it one of

the best-run pro-poor schemes in the country. Together, it is a win-

win sitaution for residents and the Government.


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Annexure I

e-PDS II Phase Pilot expected timelines

S.No

Activities Start

Date

End

date

Deliverables

1 Awareness and Data collection

1. 1 Awareness and Sensitization (1Panchayat)

T T+3Awareness Report

1.2 Ration Card Data CollectionT+1 T+4

1) RC Data collection rep

1.3 eShakti Data Collection of left overbeneficiaries & Card Distribution T+4

T+12

1) Data collection Report2) Card Distribution Report

2 Development and MaintenanceCost

2.1 E-PDS Portal & Handheld softwareapplication(POC version) development &Testing

T T+4

1) WEB URL of the live sit2) Working Handheld dev3) Handheld distributionreport

2.2 IT Infrastructure at Server roomT T+3

Server Room Hardwaredeployment report

2.3 Digitization of BPL list(English) andbeneficiary to shop details T T+3

Completion report.

2.4 Beneficiary Data mapping betweene-Shakti data, BPL list data, Shoplinkage data

T+1 T+41) Completion report.2) This will be online on ePDS portal

2.5 Procurement of HHD & InternetConnectivity for all Handheld at FPSshops

T+3 T+4

1) Handheld distributionreport with device healthstatus

2.6 Deployment of Application forproduction environment & InternetConnectivity for Server Room T+4 T+6

1) Completion report2) connectivity health stareport3) Application deploymenReport

2.7 E-PDS Portal & HandheldLive support T+6

T+21

1) URL for the live websit2) MIS report for allocatioand distribution

3 Training

3.1 Training to Department EmployeesMO/SI

T+2 T+3Training completion repo

3.2 Training to FPS owners T+2 T+3 Training completion repo

4 Manpower & telephonic


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support

4.1 FMS Support to the FPS OwnerT+5

T+21

Daily MIS Report

5 IT /Help Desk Support staffT+5

T+21

Daily MIS Report

Where T is mutually agreed date between Government and ServiceProvider.

Annexure II

Specifications for Amida 10K

The Amida 10K Simputer is an integrated device with the following mod-

ules/ components:-

Base Simputer Device: The main computing device with

a 240x320pixel TFT touchscreen running Linux kernel 2.6

on a Marvell Xscale processor. Provides a rich set of GUI

components for building power-ful applications.

Amida Mini Thermal printer: This is the in-house 2

thermal printer on the PIC16LF737 micro-controller. It is

possible to interface with a dot-matrix printer.

Biometric/FP scanner: A growing list of FingerPrint /

biometric scan-ner modules have been interfaced

Suprema SFM 3030 OD, Secugen SDA 03M, Sagem

MorphoSmart, Dermalog ZF1, Atmel AT77C104B Sweepy

Biometric Scanner and Digital Persona U.are.U 4000B.

Contact SmartCard Reader/Writer: Phillips TDA8008

Dual SmartcardReader/Writer

Contactless/RFID Reader/Writer: The reader/writer for

contactless smartcards is the Phillips CL RC632 multi-

standard single-chip reader IC.

GPRS/CDMA module (optional): The Triband GSM/GPRS

module is based on GPRS Type B Class 10 with an AT

command interface with capabilities for GSM Audio,

Telephony, etc.

Dual Contact SmartCard Reader/Writer: Two additional

Contact Smart-Card reader/writers are provided with the

same specifications as the one in the Amida Base Unit.


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[Optional] Impact Printer: The Epson M-190G dot matrix

printer mech-anism is an optional module that will be

integrated into the Amida 10K device.

[Optional] GPS: GPS receiver with SiRFstar III GSC3 running on

a ARM7o TDMI processor and SiRF GSW3 software.


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Annexure III

Amida 10K Base Device Specification

Processor CPU - Intel/Marvell Xscale

ProcessorPXA270 @520MHz

CoreComponents

RAMMobile SDRAM - 128 MB/256 MB @100 Mhz

Storage1MB NOR FLASH for System

512MB NAND FLASH for Application

andUser

DisplayColor TFT 3.5in LCD with320x240

QVGA pixel resolution

BatteriesRechargeable Lithium Ion Battery3.7V1800mAHrs

RTCProcessor based Real Time Clockpow-ered by mainbattery

USB Two USB 2.0 ports

InterfacesSerial Port Yes, with custom expansion port

Touchscreen YesAudio Yes

Contact Phillips TDA8008 DualSmartcard

SmartCard Reader/Writer

AccessoriesPower Adapter

Input 100-300V AC, 50-60Hz,Output 5V, 1A

Stylus Plastic Stylus

OperatingLinux Kernel 2.6.xx, device drivers,

cus-System

tomized bootloader

SoftwareGUI Environment

X Windows

LibrariesC Libraries,Alchemy


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Electronic Public Distribution System Glodyne Technoserve Limited Confidential

Applications

Launcher, productivity, multi-media,internet & systemsettings

Database SQLite, MySql

Usage

Battery Life

6 hours in normal usage mode.Actualbattery life may vary on operatingcon-Ditions

Package

Dimension TBD

Weight Less than 250gms

Annexure IV (ePDS Online Application Screenshot)

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