Civil supplies departmen’s IT adoption now a case study at Indian School of Business

The adoption of Information Technology in the public distribution system (PDS) that enabled the Telangana State Civil Supplies Department (TSCDS) to plug leakages and improve operational efficiency, is now a case study for future entrepreneurial leaders at Indian School of Business (ISB). The case study looks at various Information Technology (IT) reformations undertaken by the department in 2017-18 that helped them get ranked first the country for technology adoption.

The ISB case study titled “Turnaround of Food and Civil Supplies Department in Telangana Government” chronicles the tenure of C.V.Anand, Commissioner of civil supplies since assuming office on August 15, 2017. The study pointed out the different departmental and financial issues the department faces and the steps that were taken which resulted in rice millers returning 100 per cent of the Custom Milled Rice in the Kharif season of 2016-17. The department achieved this by negotiating, withdrawing pending cases and offering support to the millers.  

Earlier the rice millers often did not return CMR to the civil supplies, the department estimates that 0.2 million metric tons of rice were pending from the millers, amounting to `4.85 billion. The study showcases how steps such as the adoption of e-PoS machines at 17,200 Fair Price Shops helped save `7.5-8 billion every year. The department claimed that `81 billion payment to 1.1 million farmers in 2017-18 kharif and rabi crop seasons were made using tablets at the PPC using the OPMS software. 

Hyderabad’s VNR-VJIET organises TEDx

The students of VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology (VNR VJIET) organised TEDxVNRVJIET at the college campus on Saturday.

C.V.Anand, Commissioner, Telangana Civil Supplies Department, who addressed the students, explained how adaptation of Information Technology in the civil supplies sector has changed the once loss-making department and achieved tremendous growth.

Changes to be made in Consumer Rights Act: CV Anand

Consumers should be made aware of their rights and duties and knowledge of Consumer rights to be secured said Commissioner for Civil Supplies C.V. Anand.

A special edition of ‘Viniyoga Tarangini’ was inaugurated on the eve of International Consumers Day at Civil Supplies Bhavan by Commissioner C.V. Anand. He said that 30 years back National Consumer Rights Act was formed and after that many changes came socially, financially and politically. Especially in Digital, Marketing fields, Online Shopping and transactions substantial changes appeared. According to the present scenario there is need to make changes in Consumer Act to protect consumer rights. As in Central, states should also have separate individual wings of consumer affairs.

In this modern era technology is spreading day by day on wide range and the cyber crimes are also increasing rapidly. Everyone should be very much aware to prevent such crimes and should be very cautious, said Commissioner Anand.

Hotel, restaurants and traders are cheating consumers in the name of GST. Legal Metrology department made 1400 special raids and several booked cases. Near about Rs. 50 Crores penalty was collected.

Special Acts are made to protect consumers, compensation is given if they incur loss or if they are cheated. In government level consumer affairs machinery is established to ensure justice to consumer. 

Women’s Day buzz

International Women’s Day celebrations were organised with enthusiasm at Civil supplies  with a message that women empowerment would accelerate nation’s development.

Speaking at the celebrations organised in the Civil Supplies Bhavan, Civil Supplies Commissioner C.V. Anand said the strength and capabilities of women should be acknowledged and respected. More than 50 crore women were working in all fields and they should not be silent about their rights.

Telangana Civil Supplies Department gets another pat

Food and Civil Supplies Secretary Government of India Ravikanth was all praise for Telangana for achieving excellent progress by using modern technology to curb irregularities in Civil Supplies Department(CSD)

Terming the move as inspirational, Ravikanth who visited the CSD Office on Saturday here said CSD has become ideal to the country by giving importance to transparency, accountability, and by introducing innovative reforms in the department. He said, Online Procurement Management System (OPMS), Command Control Centre, CC Cameras in Godowns, T-Ration App will stand as guidelines to all other states.

Accompanied by FCI South Regional Executive Director, FCI Telangana Manger, Ravikanth came on a two day official visit to Telangana. They visited Command Control Centre in Telangana Civil Supplies Bhavan, reviewed live telecast of vehicle movements carrying ration commodities, functioning of CC Cameras installed in statewide Civil Supplies godowns. Commissioner for Civil Supplies C.V. Anand gave them a  presentation on the reforms taken up in Telangana Civil Supplies.

The Team members made a field visit at Musheerabad MLS Point, viewed CC Cameras performance, inspected rice quality stored in godowns. They also visited a FP shop situated in Punjagutta checked e-Pos working and had a small discussion with the beneficiaries present at the shop.

Ravikanth while appreciating the efforts said the Telangana government is giving top priority in using technology in every aspect. He praised Telangana Civil Supplies reforms, mainly paddy procurement system is very good in Telangana state, without any avoiding middlemen involvement, procuring directly from the farmers at MSP and paying to their respected bank account through online.

Lesser the burden on the State : C.V. Anand

Mr.Anand requested to lesser the burden on the states and take necessary measures in releasing the pending dues of Rs.4047 crore from Center.

He said that Center to  continue the previous policy in Gunny bags purchasing, as per the new policy introduction in 2017-18 Kharif season, state will face estimate loss of Rs. 59 crores.

Transport charges are allowed for transportation of paddy from PPC’s to Rice mills is very less as per the market price.  Rates fixed by the District Collectors or FCI rates whichever is less is paid for the transportation and in 2016-17 Kharif season we lost about Rs. 137 crores under this Head.

Local Mandi Labour charges are insufficient compared to Central and State government. Local Mandi Charges are around Rs. 30 per quintal, whereas Centre pays Rs. 5.50. This is eroding the MSP paid to the farmers. Request for enhancement of Mandi Labour Charges as per the prevailing open market rates to protect the farmers interest. For 2010-11 to 2016-17 Kharif season total amount of Rs. 363.37 crores are withheld by FCI towards Market fee, RD Cess, C&M charges, Commission, etc. It is requested to advice FCI to release the pending amounts.

Previous year in Rabi season massive grain yield was recorded, but problems were faced as FCI could not provide sufficient space to store them. Taking consideration these we request FCI to provide sufficient storage for 2017-18 Rabi season for the estimated 15 Lakh Metric tons of CMR.