Bhubaneswar: The United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC), India, Shombi Sharp, visited Annapurti, an innovative and state-of-the-art grain ATM, launched as a flagship initiative by World Food Programme in collaboration with government of Odisha to improve the accessibility and efficiency of food distribution through India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
According to an official press release, Annapurti is an automated multi commodity dispensing machine that provides people with consistent access to their food entitlement with speed and accuracy, after biometric authentication. This aims to ensure efficient, transparent and accurate distribution of food grains at the last mile.
This machine dispenses upto two grain commodities and is capable of dispensing 25 kgs in less than 40 seconds with nearly 100 per cent accuracy. The entire solution, including the volume of the storage unit, is modular and can be easily assembled depending on the amount of space available. To ensure food security with efficient energy usage, the machine has been designed to be attached to solar panels, inverter batteries and elevators for automatic refilling.
Launched on 8th August 2024, this standalone unit is the first of its kind in India, developed based on feedback and successful pilot of a previous model of Annapurti attached with Fair Price Shop in 28 locations in five states.
By leveraging the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme, the grain ATM enables any eligible user pan India to draw their PDS rations, after biometric authentication.
Sharp spent one hour on the site and took note of the potential benefits of the intervention. He discussed in detail about the technical knowhow, quality control, value chain mechanism and user satisfaction with the concerned government officials and WFP team. He also interacted with the beneficiaries who appreciated its user-friendly technology and improved access and convenience over traditional, time bound distribution.
The General Manager, PDS, Odisha, Civil Supplies Officer, Khurda and other officials from the State Civil Supply Corporation and Department of Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Odisha were present during the visit.
The UNRC was accompanied by Radhika Kaul Batra, Chief of Staff, RCO, William Hanlon, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Odisha.
The visit was facilitated by Himanshu S. Bal, Head, Odisha Field Office, WFP.
