GNFC Ltd to disburse fertilizer subsidy through blockchain -Governance Now

GNFC Ltd to disburse fertilizer subsidy through blockchain

NITI Aayog will implement a proof-of-concept application of blockchain technology in partnership with GNFC fertilizer subsidy management

GN Bureau | June 30, 2018

#NITI Aayog #GNFC #blockchain #fertilizer subsidy

NITI Aayog will implement a proof-of-concept application of blockchain technology in partnership with Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC) fertilizer subsidy management.

They will jointly develop the use case, undertake research, interact with multiple stakeholders, develop blockchain solutions, exchange learnings, organise forums, and disseminate learnings across their networks. Learnings, insights and outcomes of the PoC (Proof-of-concept) will enable NITI Aayog to suggest policy recommendations and actions in strengthening the subsidy mechanism, making it more transparent and immune to leakages.

Fertilizer units manufacture approximately 31 Million MT of fertilizers across the country, where total approximately Rs 70,000 crore of subsidy is disbursed to the manufacturing units. The subsidy disbursal takes two to three months’ time. There are multiple entities involved in the verification process, and the transaction process is very cumbersome which has the potential to be automated to give significant efficiency gains.

With the implementation of blockchain technology, it is expected that the distribution will become effective and efficient, and subsidy transfer could be automated and made real time. Overall implementation ensures that there is no dependence on intermediary agencies to prove the validity of transactions and resulting subsidy claims.

The blockchain based process will also use smart contracts which will enable quick and accurate reconciliation of transactions between multiple parties with minimal human intervention. Implementation platform is such that process transparency is evident, transactions cannot be altered and audit trails of transactions are available.

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