UP Streamlining Procurement And Distribution Digitally

From implementing Information Technology to linking Aadhaar during farmers’ registration, the Food Department has taken several initiatives for effective and hassle-free purchase of food grain, its distribution and timely payment to farmers, says Alok Kumar, Commissioner – Food, Government of Uttar Pradesh, in an interview with Arpit Gupta of Elets News Network (ENN).

How the Information Technology is helping the Food Department of Uttar Pradesh to bring an effective, swift and transparent purchase system for State farmers?

We are using Information Technology to deliver our services in a transparent manner. We have two wings -- one is marketing wing and the other is supply wing. Through marketing wing procurement operations are executed. It includes wheat procurement and paddy procurement. During procurements, we always receive complaints regarding the buying or selling through a middleman.

In order to resolve these complaints, we have started an e-procurement module through which a farmer can register his land. The registration can be done through any Public Service Centre. Registration is must for every farmer, as it helps us to get their bank account and lands’ details. In addition to that, processing of payments is easier for the farmers already registered with us. We are using the module for payments and ensuring that the payment is done within 72 hours. We are trying to link the module with revenue and paddy procurements to keep actual data of land a farmer is having. Along with that the information like the quantity of wheat bought and sold and also the names of buyer and seller are available on the public domain. Such transparency will help people to launch a complaint in case of any discrepancy in buying or selling of the wheat. The module along with serving the public will also help us in getting the exact amount of fund we are having at different centres, quantity of wheat at a centre,etc.

It is important develop a Public Distribution System (PDS) that supports the farmers and the department to avoid any discrepancies. Please give details about the initiatives in this regard.