Meghalaya gets Northeast’s first Annapurti Grian Dispensing Solution (GrianATM) for PDS

SHILLONG: The global award-winning, made-in-India automated multi-grain dispensing solution, Annapurti, developed by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), was unveiled in Shillong by Mr Comingone Ymbon, Minister In-charge, Food Civil Supplies & Consumers Affair, Government of Meghalaya today.

The solution is not just first for the state but also the northeast. Currently, seven Annapurti machines are operating throughout the country. The solution reduces the waiting time and wastage and ensures better accountability and monitoring of the food supply chain. It uses biometric authentication to verify the identity of the beneficiaries and provides them with the exact quantity and quality of grains they are entitled to.

“The Meghalaya Government is committed to ensuring access to food through reforms in the Public Distribution System for making service delivery efficient. The automation of Fair Price Shops, starting with the unveiling of Annapurti, will empower NFSA beneficiaries to access their entitlement through a transparent and efficient process,” said the Minister In-charge, Food Civil Supplies & Consumers Affair, Government of Meghalaya, who also interacted with the beneficiaries.

“The agreement represents the synergy between the Meghalaya Government aimed at building on the food-based safety nets already in place. The launch of Annapurti in the state along with other initiatives around optimisation of TPDS system reflect that,” said Ms Elisabeth Faure, Representative and Country Director, WFP India, who was also present at the launch.

On 24th August, a Monitoring Information System Dashboard for retail prices was inaugurated in Meghalaya by the Minister In-charge of Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs in the presence of the Country Director for WFP in India.

Stocktaking was also done on a pilot basis to manage warehouses and reduce losses with new storage methods using global best practices and mobile GPS tracking tech for more efficient and cost-effective supply chains.

In 2021, through a Memorandum of Understanding, the Government of Meghalaya and WFP joined forces to reach over two million people by transforming the Targeted Public Distribution System. This included campaigning to create awareness around the One Nation One Ration Card.