Evaluating the impact of digitalisation and Aadhaar based biometric authentication in the public distribution system : a case study in west Bengal

Abstract

The Public Distribution System in India is entrusted with the responsibility of delivering food security to the beneficiaries. The National Food Security Act, 2013 confirms food security as a right, from the prior status of welfare measure. In this context it became vital to revitalize the Public Distribution System and enhance its capacity to deliver entitlements and services seamlessly and transparently.

The designers adopted and leveraged multiple Information and Communication technology solutions to implement a framework that would bring in a paradigm change in Food Security delivery mechanism. The technology driven framework is expected to drive the food security chain management system including procurement, storage, transportation and logistics and delivery to the intended beneficiaries.

The two pivots on which the framework is based are Digitalisation and Aadhaar based Biometric authentication. This paper will explore the impact of digitalisation and biometric authenticated transactions and their potential ability to deliver the NFSA 2013 desired objectives.

The research and its findings will be based primarily on field survey and interaction with stakeholders, while relying on authenticated data from secondary sources, to identify the benefits from the transition and lacunas that are preventing full exploitation of the deemed capabilities.

The paper will explore the impact of policy directions and provide recommendations that will enhance the capacity of Digitalisation and Biometric authenticated transactions to align with the objectives. The paper and the research assume importance at a time when transformative changes are being implemented in food security management.