Pralhad Joshi Visits Exhibition on AI-Driven Transformation of Public Distribution System at India-AI Impact Summit 2026

Pralhad Joshi visited the exhibition pavilion showcasing AI-enabled and digital innovations transforming India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) at the India-AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026 being held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

The exhibition pavilion titled “AI-Empowered Innovations for Public Distribution” has been jointly organised by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP).

Pralhad Joshi Highlights Technology-Driven, Leak-Proof PDS

Addressing the Summit, Shri Pralhad Joshi stated that India is distributing free foodgrains to more than 80 crore beneficiaries under the Prime Minister’s Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana — an initiative unmatched in scale globally. He emphasised that the Government’s commitment is to ensure that every grain procured reaches the intended beneficiaries efficiently and transparently.

The Union Minister noted that technology-driven reforms have significantly reduced leakages and improved accountability in the Public Distribution System, making it more efficient and citizen-centric.

₹250 Crore Saved Through Anna Chakra- Supply Chain Optimisation

Highlighting the impact of technological interventions, Shri Joshi said that initiatives such as Smart Warehousing, Smart PDS, Anna Darpan, Anna Chakra and ASHA are strengthening transparency and operational efficiency across the foodgrain supply chain.

He informed that Anna Chakra, a Supply Chain optimisation for foodgrain transportation, has resulted in savings of nearly ₹250 crore of public funds by analysing demand, stock availability and logistics routes, thereby reducing costs, transit time and improving supply-chain resilience.

The Minister further stated that the AI-enabled grievance redressal platform ASHA (Anna Sahayata Holistic Solution) contacts nearly 20 lakh beneficiaries every month to collect feedback, which is subsequently forwarded to district administrations for timely resolution of complaints.