Monitoring: Doubts and questions about the smooth running and efficacy of the schemes have been raised. Without proper monitoring, the best of schemes can come apart. It is as important to reach the grain to the needy as it is to envisage a policy like this. Making use of modern technology, we have established call centres with toll free numbers where anyone can lodge a complaint about the non-availability of rice and it is directly monitored by the food and civil supplies department. As soon as a truck leaves the godown for a particular village, the details of the carrier and quantity are SMSed to the sarpanch and responsible citizens of the area. They can immediately confirm with the local ration shop about the availability of rice. My aim is to involve as many people as possible in the monitoring so that the chances of corruption are minimised. There are other methods as well, like fitting trucks with GPRS monitoring systems so that they do not stray from their path. Jan Bhagidari websites are some of the other methods of public monitoring.

Supply Chain: It is not just rice, we have taken care of the entire food supply chain. The number of ration shops have been substantially increased and taken out of private hands. We now have 10,500 shops. Two litres of kerosene is distributed free to every needy person on Haat Bazaar day. We have spent Rs 43 crore in establishing 2,000 grain banks and another 5,500 shops run entirely by women. Chawal Utsav and credit facility are a few other innovative ideas.

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