Factors for Success in IT Implementation: A Case Discussion on e-PDS Using ISM

Factors for Success in IT Implementation: A Case Discussion on e-PDS Using ISM

Barada Prasanna Mohapatra, Debendra Kumar Mahalik
Copyright: © 2018 |Pages: 15
DOI: 10.4018/IJKBO.2018010101
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Abstract

In the competitive era, Information Technology (IT) is an integral part of the system and Government domain is no exception due to its advantage. Public Distribution System (PDS) is one such application, through which Government in India ensures food security to its citizen. But the traditional systems are being built with short coming resulted in efficient system. The usages of IT in PDS have made transformation to e-PDS. But the success of e-PDS depends on many factors. In our study, we have tried to find out the success factors using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and to find their interrelationship, which helps the decision maker to look in to the system effectiveness prospective.
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Introduction

India has implemented National Food Security Act (NFSC) to provide food and nutrition security to masses. Odisha a State in India having major population are covered under the scheme. The scheme is implemented through District head i.e. collector. The NFSA includes the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Mid-day Meal (MDM) and Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Currently the Government of Odisha in collaboration with world food programme, working on a project to implement a plan to computerization of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), better known as e-PDS, under which four key features has been taken i.e. Beneficiary identification and enrollment, Supply chain operations, FPS transactions and grievance redressed. e-PDS is a technology enabled service depending on several factors for its success. Due to the changing business environment and to remain in competition, organizations are implementing Information Technology (IT) to improve the performance. The new entrants are entering into the market with advanced technology to enjoy the competitive advantage whereas the existing organizations are adopting the new technology to compete with the competitors. In the traditional method of PDS process, the chances of corruption and manipulation in the system which leads to ineffective PDS, which is high. The Government wants to leverage the advantage of Information Technology by transforming to e-PDS which will lead to better managed PDS. This technology will help to track activity under PDS at any moment. The requirement of IT at TPDS activities is discussed below.

Identification of Beneficiary

As exclusion error and inclusion error is prevailing in the current system, Government is finding difficulties in finding the real beneficiary to be included in PDS. Under exclusion error the real BPL families are excluded from the facility and under the inclusion error the people are enjoying the PDS facility those are not eligible to get the facility. The identification process is totally bureaucratic and not involving the lower level authorities including the Gram Panchayat level. The PDS require the implementation of IT where the real needy people will be identified with some selection criteria and will be provided a unique identification number for all the time. This number consisting all the information about the user including the biometric information which will be stored in information system of the Government for many uses like transfer of money to user’s account, SMS alert about PDS commodities and price, information about availability of commodities and authentication at FPSs to stop bogus cards etc.

Procurement

The Government is trying to procure maximum from the farmers to provide food security to the poor mass as well as providing fair prices support to the farmers. The implementation of IT is required as all the farmers will be registered under the PDS and will be tracked every time for any type of support from pre-harvest to post-harvest. The qualitative paddy will be received in computerized paddy receiving centre with the help electronics weighing machine which will check the quality and all the information will reach to the Government as well as to the farmers as per the quantity received and payment will be immediate in terms of cheque or bank transfer as all will be registered with details data.

Storage

As there are no attractive incentives for the private investors having godowns used in PDS to store the food grains, they are not using modern methods to store the food grains. They are receiving and dispatching the stock without any computerized weighing machine where the records are showing more stocks as prepared manually which can be manipulated. The storage place is not properly maintained as a result the gunny sacks will be damaged easily, rats ate up and fungus destroying the food grains. The implementation of IT will help modernize the system. The entry and exit of stocks will be with proper computerization. The total electrification and modern method of storage will help to minimize the pilferage and damage and also will reduce the long storage periods.

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