Lok Sabha Question No. 3194 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Leakage of Grains under PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3 194

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19TH MARCH, 2025

## LEAKAGE  OF GRAINS UNDER PDS

## 3194. DR. BACHHAV  SHOBHA DINESH:

Will  the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND  PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has initiated any action, to ensure that all grains supplied reach the beneficiaries  and if  so, the details  thereof;  and
- (b) whether the Government is  considering a shift  towards Direct  Benefit  Transfer (DBT) for  better efficiency and accountability in  the distribution of  food subsidies and if  so, the details thereoP

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): As part of the technology driven Public Distribution  System (PDS) reforms, with  the aim to improve the transparency, efficiency and reduce leakages in the Public Distribution System (PDS), the ration cards/beneficiaries database have been completely digitized  (100%) in  all  States/UTs. The  transparency portal  and online  grievance redressal facility/Toll-free number have been implemented in  all  States/UTs. Also,  online  allocation has been implemented in all  States/UTs (except UTs  of  Chandigarh, Puducherry and Urban area of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, which have adopted DBT  Cash Transfer scheme) and supply chain has been computerized in  31  States/UTs.  Further, in  other  States/UTs for  better tracking  of foodgrains distribution, nearly 5.41 Lakh (99.6%) out of total 5.43 Lakh Fair Price Shops (FPSs) in the country have been automated by installing  ePoS devices for  the distribution  of foodgrains in a transparent manner (electronically)  through biometric/  Aadhaar authentication of beneficiaries under PDS

.....2/-

(b): The scheme of  cash transfer  of  food  subsidy  scheme is implemented  as per provisions of  the Cash Transfer of Food Subsidy Rules, 2015, notified  under the National Food Security Act,  2013 (NFSA)  on 21.08.2015 which  inter alia provides food subsidy directly  into the bank accounts of  entitled  households to enable purchase of  entitled  quantity  of  foodgrains  from  the open market.  The scheme can be taken up in  identified  areas, subject to fulfillment of  certain conditions regarding preparedness for  its  implementation like  complete digitization  and deduplication of beneficiary database, seeding of bank account details in the digitized beneficiary database and availability  of  foodgrains in the open market. Identified  area is defined under the Rules as State or Union  Territory  or any specified area within  the State or Union  Territory  for which there is a written consent of the State Government for implementation of the scheme. It is therefore optional  for the States/UTs to  implement the cash transfer of  food subsidy scheme or continue with  distribution  of foodgrains as per provisions of NFSA through fair price shops. At  present, the Direct  Benefit  Transfer (DBT)  (Cash Transfer) is being implemented in three UTs i.e. Chandigarh, DNH&DD and Puducherry.

#888