AI-RATIONMITRA: SMART PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION THROUGH AI AND IOT

Computer Science and Engineering

Though vital to food security, India's Public Distribution System (PDS) still suffers from severe challenges like ration leakage, identity fraud, manual inefficiencies, and poor accessibility, particularly in rural and underserved areas. These systemic weaknesses frequently lead to the deprivation of the entitled food grains to the intended beneficiaries, impacting millions who rely on government subsidies for their sustenance. To resolve these challenges, this paper presents AI-RationMitra — a smart ration dispensing system that is intelligent, voice-controlled, and IoT-enabled. The system employs an auger-based mechanical design augmented by solenoid valves and food-grade stainless steel chambers to accurately dispense vital commodities such as rice, wheat, sugar, oil, and pulses. It utilizes a multi-layered authentication mechanism comprising fingerprint scanning, RFID, and facial recognition to authenticate legitimate beneficiaries. A multilingual voice assistant driven by AI allows users to easily communicate in their language, review quota balances, and submit ration requests without the need for literacy or manual intervention. The system includes weight sensors to verify real-time dispensing and synchronize data to the cloud for real-time logging and inventory reconciliation. Usage patterns are analyzed using AI algorithms that predict demand and identify anomalies. With its scope of integration at local Kirana shops and FPS centers, AI-RationMitra is a vision of an open, citizen-centric, and tamper-proof ration distribution system that guarantees timely delivery, equal access, and operational transparency for urban and rural India.

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