A rice dispensing machine or a ‘rice ATM’ will soon be set up in a slum in Bengaluru. The initiative is part of Central Government’s project ‘Annapurti’ that is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP). The automatic grain dispenser was scheduled to be set up in five Indian states: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The WFP, Nobel Peace Prize 2020 laureate, has been closely working with the Indian government to bring reforms in the Targeted Public Distribution System (PDS). Karnataka Minister for Food and Civil Supplies K Gopalaiah said, “We're awaiting approval from the Centre. We're closely following up with them and will begin the work as soon as the proposal is passed.”
The dispensing machine can reportedly dispense two commodities, weighing 25 kg each, per minute, further ensuring that everyone will get their share of grain. Depending on the demand a machine with a capacity of 100-500 kg will be installed.
“We're looking to set up this machine in the locality where low-income labourers reside. They won’t have to queue outside the ration shop missing a day’s work, since the machine will be operating 24x7,” said the Minister.
He added that if permitted by the Centre, they will work on setting up more such grain dispensing machines across the city for those living Below Poverty Line (BPL).
The ‘rice ATM’, earlier known as grain ATM, was devised by Piyush Kanel and Ankit Sood, who work for the WFP, after witnessing the discrepancies in the food distribution system. The creators planned to employ the biometric system to ensure each person gets their fair share.
The Minister also said that they will issue smart cards. “We will finalise the details after consulting the local authorities upon approval, but the entire process will be automated,” he added.
The Karnataka government currently provides food grains and other essentials to over 1 crore BPL families under its Anna Bhagya scheme.