Depot Darpan, Anna Mitra & Anna Sahayata: Digital Boost for PDS

Current Context: On May 20, 2025, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched three digital initiatives—Depot Darpan Portal, Anna Mitra App, and Anna Sahayata App—to modernize India's Public Distribution System (PDS).

Key Highlights

• Depot Darpan Portal: A self-assessment and monitoring system for food grain depots, integrating IoT sensors and CCTV surveillance to enhance efficiency and security.
• Anna Mitra App: A real-time command center for ration distribution, providing monthly sales reports, stock receipts, and alerts for stakeholders.
• Anna Sahayata App: A grievance redressal platform allowing citizens to register complaints via voice or text, with real-time tracking.

These initiatives aim to increase transparency, improve infrastructure, and empower beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), benefiting over 81 crore people.

Question:

Q.1 The Anna Mitra App is designed for which of the following purposes?
a) Real-time command center for ration distribution
b) Monitoring food quality
c) Registering citizen grievances
d) GPS tracking of ration vehicles

Answer: a) A real-time command center for ration distribution, providing monthly sales reports, stock receipts, and alerts for stakeholders.