Grain ATMs in Bihar: A Pilot Initiative

Some beneficiaries of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Bihar will soon benefit from the installation of machines known as "grain ATMs" or Annapurti. The Bihar state government has approved the installation of three such machines in Patna as part of a pilot project, which aims to enhance transparency, reduce waiting times at ration shops, and curb leakages and corruption in the distribution system.

Overview of Grain ATMs

• Grain ATMs are automated machines that dispense food grains such as wheat and rice.
• Each machine can release up to 50 kg of grain in five minutes.
• Developed by the World Food Programme (WFP), the technology aims to reduce waiting times by 70%.
• The machines function 24×7 and can be solar-powered, requiring internet connectivity for accessing the PDS database and individual profiles of Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders.

Implementation and Benefits

• Bihar has more than 8.5 crore PDS beneficiaries and over 50,000 PDS shops.
• Across India, approximately 80.10 crore beneficiaries receive PDS benefits through 5.45 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPSs).

Working Mechanism

• PDS beneficiaries use a swipe card or grain ATM card on a PoS machine linked to their ration or Aadhar card.
• After selecting the grain type and quantity, beneficiaries undergo Aadhar-based biometric authentication.
• Once dispensed, the transaction updates the beneficiary’s PDS data, and a confirmation slip is issued.