Lok Sabha Question No. 5018 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: Sub-standard Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Sumedhanand Saraswati

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRTBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD A1{D PUBLIG DISTRIBUTTON

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5O{8

## TO BE ANSWERED  O]II 23'd JULY, 2OI9

## SUB.STANDARD FOODGRAII{S

## t5o,t8. SHR!SUIU|EDHANAilDSARSWAT!:

Will the Minister of GOiISUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AltD PUBLTC DISTRIBUTIOil  5qqtfir arrd, uru slk {rfuA-d, fuftur d* be pteised to state: state:

- (a)  whether the Government is aware of distribution of sub-standard foodgrains under Public Distribution System (PDS);
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether the Government  has setup any norms in respect of quality of foodgrains  being distributed  under PDS;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken or being taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (e)  the types of various irregularities  and corruption detected in implementation of PDS along with the remedial measures taken to check the same details thereofll

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINTSTRY OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION (sHRr DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)

(a) to (e): Public Distribution System (PDS) is operated under the ioint responsibility  of the Gentral and the State/UT  Governments,  wherein the operational responsibilities  within the State/UT for  identification of beneficiaries, issuance of ration cards and distribution of foodgrains,  etc. rest with the respective State/UT  Government.

To ensure the quality of foodgrains for distribution through PDS, there is  a  set  procedure for  the  issuance of  foodgrains to  State/UTs Govemment. Department  has issued following instructions to al! State/UT Govemments and Food Corporation of India (FGI) to ensure supply of good quality  foodgrains under PDS.

- i.  Only good quality foodgrains free from insect infestation and conforming  to Food Safety Standards are to be issued under TpDS and other welfare schemes.
2. ii, Ample oppodunities  are to be provided to the officials of the State/UT Govemments  to  inspect the stocks prior to  lifting from FC! godowns. States/UTs may ensure that officers not betow the rank of lnspector are deputed for inspection of the foodgrains before their
3. lifting from FGI godowns.
- iii. Samples of foodgrains are to be collected and seated from the stock of foodgrains,  to be issued under the PDS, jointty  by FCt and State/UT
5. Governments.
- iv.  An officer not below the rank of lnspector is to be deputed from
7. State/UT Government to take the delivery of foodgrains  stock from the FGI godowns.
- v.  Regular anspection,  to check the quality of foodgrains,  is to be carried
9. out by the officers  of State/UT Government.
10. va. lt  is the responsibility  of the concerned State/UT Government to ensure that during the transportation and storage of foodgrains  at different  stages in the distribution  chain, the foodgrains retain the requared quality  specaficataons.
- vii.  The State Government, where the decentralized procurement  is in
12. operation, should ensure that the quality of foodgrains issued under PDS and other welfare schemes should meet the desired standards prescribed  by Food Safety and Standards Authority  of India (FSSAI).

An offence, if committed, is in violation  of the provisions  of TPDS (Gontrol) Orde4 2015 and as liable for penal action under the Essential Gommodities Act, 1955. Thus, the Order empowers  State/UT Governments to take punitive  action in case of contravention  of relevant provisions ot these Orders.

Also, the institutional mechanism  for the monitoring  and grievance redressal under l{ational Food Security Aclr 2013 (NFSA) provides setting up of Vigilance  Gommittees,  District Grievance  Redressal Officers and independent State Food Gommission  for making the system more efficient and transparent.

Further, as and when matterc related to quality of foodgrains  are observed or complaints are received in this Department wath regards to any irregularities  in the functioning  of the PDS, including  quality of foodgrains, etc.n they are forwarded to  the concerned State/UT

Govemment for inquiry and appropriate  action at their end.