The workshop organised by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department in collaboration with Odisha Modernising Economy, governance and Administration Programme was to choose right model for Fair Price Shop Automation in the state. Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Secretary Madhusudan Padhy elaborated plan to automate 28 thousand FPS across the state to ensure effective delivery transparency and accountability.
Deepak Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India highly appreciated the steps taken by government of Odisha for different components of End to End computerisation of Public Distribution System. He mentioned that with timely completion of FPS Automation Odisha will be a role model for many other states and UTs. Ankit Sood, Representative of World Food Programme stressed upon the role of Ration Card Management System and Supply Chain Management System to support the Fair Price Shop Automation. He presented pross and cons of different models FPS Automation on the basis of field experience from Rayagada in Odisha and Kerala.
Representatives from Gujurat, Telengana, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh shared their experience in the context of FPS Automation. RDC(North Division) NBS Rajput stressed upon proper beneficiary identification system during the distribution of rations has to be put in place. Different vendors namely Visiontek, Bosch, Fourth Lion, BEL made presentation on different models of FPS automation supported by them in different states along with the relevant recommendations for Odisha. Attending valedictory session, Addl. Chief Secretary R Balakrishnan advised to analyse the available options and take up the model best suitable for Odisha keeping in view local condition.
The Workshop was attended by RDCs, Collectors, CSOs and officials from Food Supply & Consumer Welfare Department and Odisha State Civil Supply Corporation. Representatives from World Food Programme and OMEGA also attended the workshop.