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Blockchain-based Government Services

8.4.1.4  Benefits

Quality and availability of blood are visible to all stakeholders. Donor history can be

tracked and verified. Blood is traceable from donor to recipient. Also, a lot of blood

can be saved from wastage through this streamlined process, since mismanagement

leads to the elimination of blood bags.

8.4.2  Public Distribution System (PDS)

PDS evolved as a system for the distribution of grains at affordable prices to the

population that is below the poverty line, as displayed in Figure 8.3.

8.4.2.1  Current Process

Food grains cultivated by the farmers are obtained by the government through mill­

ers and procurement centres.

8.4.2.2  Challenges

PDS has unique challenges due to its unique system. The major challenge is the

unpredictable supply of food grains due to seasonal activity, as its quantity and qual­

ity depend upon natural factors like water, weather, etc., a large number of grains are

lost during logistics, and much goes missing from the warehouses. Also, there are

many administration issues, like difficulty in obtaining a ration card, unavailability of

stock, lack of public awareness, circulation of fake cards and no grievance redressal.

8.4.2.3  Proposed Blockchain Solution

The objective of using blockchain technology is to have a fool-proof end-to-end

PDS to track food grains and record all important data throughout the supply chain,

such as stakeholders as shown in Figure 8.4, price, Minimum Support Price (MSP),

quantity delivered, etc. Here, timestamped receipts will be generated when the stock

reaches the store. QR codes or radiofrequency ID tags will be used to track the grain

bags within the supply chain to assert their quality and quantity. Smart contracts will

be used to facilitate the payments to the farmers and millers as required.

8.4.2.4  Benefits

Blockchain-enabled PDS will provide quick payments to farmers and millers.

Tracking stock stored at different locations and its duration along with identification

of pilferages within the stock.

FIGURE 8.3  PDS supply chain. (From Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology,

Blockchain for Government. Retrieved 7 April 2020 from https://blockchain​.gov​.in​/

Whitepaper​_30jan​.pdf)