World · India Bureau
Kerala ration dealers demand GPS tracking for foodgrain supply lorries
Dealers have called for real-time GPS monitoring of vehicles transporting grains from government warehouses to prevent illegal diversion of supplies meant for the National Food Security Act scheme. The demand comes as the state intensifies surveillance measures across the public distribution system.
LSN India ·
Ration dealers in Kerala have urged the government to implement GPS tracking systems for all lorries transporting foodgrains from state warehouses to retail outlets, citing concerns over potential diversion of supplies meant for beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act.
The dealers argue that effective monitoring must encompass the entire supply chain rather than focusing only on end-point distribution. Their appeal underscores gaps in oversight during the critical transit phase, when commodities are most vulnerable to unauthorized removal or misappropriation.
The demand emerges alongside broader efforts by the Kerala government to strengthen quality control and transparency in the public distribution system. Authorities have already initiated plans to install closed-circuit television cameras in ration shops and integrate electronic point-of-sale machines with digital weighing scales to ensure accurate dispensing of rations to eligible families.
Stakeholders in the distribution network contend that while technological upgrades at retail counters are essential, supply-chain visibility remains equally critical. GPS tracking of transport vehicles would provide real-time accountability and create an auditable record of grain movement from warehouse to storehouse.
The government has not yet formally responded to the dealers' proposal. Officials have previously indicated their commitment to modernizing the public distribution infrastructure to minimize leakages and ensure that NFSA provisions reach intended beneficiaries efficiently.