Lok Sabha Question No. 4339 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Pilferage of Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: RAJ KUMAR SINGH

4339.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4339

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  MARCH, 2017

## PILFERAGE OF FOODGRAINS

SHRI R.K. SINGH:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that at least fifty per cent of the food grains meant for the poor through the Fair Price Shops under Food Security Act is sold in the  black  market  and  the  poor  get  the  grain  only  once  in  two  or  three months, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that such irregularities is happening in connivance with the officials of the Food Corporation of India, the State Food Corporations, the transporters, the fair price shopkeepers, the supply  officials  and  even  dignitaries  in  the  State  Governments,  if  so,  the
- details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that in some States the kerosene dealers  charge  a  higher  price,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government is aware that as a result of such malpractices the above categories of people have amassed a lot of ill gotten wealth; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  propose  to  carry  out  investigations  and identify  such  persons  and  take  steps  to  confiscate  their  ill  gotten  wealth, and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) to (e):  Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint  responsibility  of  the  Central  and  the  State/UT  Governments.  Central Government is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains  [i.e. Wheat Rice and Coarse Grain] upto the designated depots of the Food Corporation of India(FCI). The operational responsibilities for intrastate allocation and distribution of foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible beneficiaries, issuance of ration cards to them and supervision over and monitoring of functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) etc. rest with the concerned State/UT Governments. Clause 13 of the TPDS[Control] Order 2015 stipulates that  if  any  person  contravenes  any  of the provisions of said Order, he shall be liable to punishment under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act. 1955[10 of 1955].

There  have  been  complaints/reports  from  individuals  and  organizations as  well  as  through  press  reports  relating  to  untimely  supply  of  foodgrains, leakage/diversion,  inclusion/exclusion  errors,  bogus/ineligible  ration  cards being  in  circulation,  diversion/theft  of  foodgrains,  irregular  functioning  of FPS, beneficiaries not getting their entitled quota of foodgrains and allotment of fair price shops in an arbitrary manner, etc. Under National Food Security [NFSA]  Act,  2013  and  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System[TPDS]  (Control) Orders, responsibility of  addressing all these issues falls under the purview of respective State/UT Governments. Therefore, as and when shortcomings/complaints are received by this Department, these are referred to the State/UT Governments concerned for inquiry and appropriate action.

As far as issue of overcharging by Kerosene dealers is concerned, Ministry of  Petroleum  and  Natural  Gas  has  informed  that  distribution  of  the  PDS Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) within the State/UT through their PDS network to  various  categories  of  ration  card  holders  is  the  responsibility  of  the respective State/UT Government. Central Government have made provisions in  the  Kerosene  (Restriction  on  Use  and  Fixation  of  Ceiling  Price)  Order, 1993,  issued  under  the  Essential  Commodities  Act,  1955,  as    per    which dealers  have  to  sell  PDS  Kerosene  at  a  price  fixed  by  the Government or Oil  Marketing Companies (OMCs) and have to prominently display stockcum-price board at the place of business including the place of store at a conspicuous place.    Under  this  Control  Order,  State  Governments  are  also empowered  to  take  action  against  those  indulging  in  black-marketing  and other irregularities.

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