Centre launches ASHA, an AI platform to gather PDS feedback

The Hindu
The Hindu
2M ago
The Indian government launched ASHA, an AI platform for Public Distribution System feedback, enhancing transparency and efficiency. This initiative is part of broader digital reforms in food distribution.
Centre launches ASHA, an AI platform to gather PDS feedback
A What happened
The Indian government has launched several digital initiatives to modernize the Public Distribution System (PDS), including the ASHA platform, which allows beneficiaries to give feedback on ration distribution through AI-enabled calls in their preferred language. This initiative, costing ₹5 lakh, is designed to enhance transparency and efficiency in the supply chain. ASHA enables users to report on their entitlements, food quality, and any issues faced at Fair Price Shops, reaching 20 lakh beneficiaries monthly. Alongside ASHA, the government introduced Bhandaran 360, an Enterprise Resource Planning platform for warehousing, and ANNA DARPAN, a microservices-based system for managing procurement and sales. These initiatives support the government's mission to reduce logistics costs and improve the overall efficiency of food distribution.

Key insights

  • 1

    AI for Feedback: ASHA allows beneficiaries to report issues via AI calls.

  • 2

    Cost-Effective Solution: The platform is cheaper than traditional call centers.

  • 3

    Broad Reach: ASHA serves 20 lakh beneficiaries monthly across India.

  • 4

    Integrated Systems: Bhandaran 360 and ANNA DARPAN streamline operations.

Takeaways

The launch of ASHA and other digital initiatives marks a significant step towards modernizing India's Public Distribution System, aiming to improve efficiency and transparency in food distribution.

Topics

Lifestyle Food Technology & Innovation Artificial Intelligence Business & Markets Economy

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