Lok Sabha Question No. 1485 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Inclusion of Beneficiaries under PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1485 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH DECEMBER, 2024

## INCLUSION OF BENEFICIARIES UNDER PDS

## 1485. SHRI JANARDAN  SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION witnr wig  um aM tIT+gft% fi6wr ++ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken steps to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries are included in the Public Distribution Scheme (PDS);
- (b) if  so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken steps to  improve the quality of  foodgrains provided through PDS ;
- (d) if  so, the  details  thereof;  and
- (e) the details of the strategies put in place to address leakages and corruption within the PDS?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) &  (b): The Targeted Public Distribution  System  (TPDS) is now governed as per the provisions of the National  Food Security Act,  2013.  The Targeted Public Distribution  System  (TPDS) under the Act  is operated under the joint  responsibility  of  the Central and State/UT Governments. The Central Government is  responsible for  the  procurement,  allocation and transportation of  food grains up to the designated  depots of the FCI. The operational responsibilities  for allocation and distribution of foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible beneficiaries/families, issuance of  ration cards to  them and supervision and monitoring of functioning  of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) rest with the concerned State/UT Government.

The Central Government has issued advisory, from  time  to  time, to  all  the  States/Union Territories to identify all eligible and poor persons/ households including vulnerable Sections of the Society for inclusion under the Act.

(c) & (d): Only good quality foodgrains free from  insect infestation and conforming to food safety standards are issued through the 'fPDS  under the NFSA.

(e): The  Act  provides  that  every  State  Government  shall  put  in  place  an internal  grievance redressal mechanism, and appointment/ designation of  a District  Grievance Redressal Officer  in each district  for  expeditious  and effective  redressal of  grievances of  the  aggrieved  persons in matters  relating to the distribution  of  entitled foodgrains and to enforce the entitlements under the Act. The Act  also provides for the constitution/ designation of the State Food Commission for monitoring and review of implementation of the Act.

Helpline  number 1967/ 1800-State series number is operational in all  the States/ UTs for contacting and redressal of their grievances and filing any type of complaints by the NFS A beneficiaries.

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

As  and when complaints including leakages and corruption are received in  this Department from  any source, they are sent to State/UT Governments concerned for  inquiry  and approprIate actIon.

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