Lok Sabha Question No. 3717 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Modernization of PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Smt. Supriya Sule, Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Shri Amar Sharadrao Kale, Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh, Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane

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

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3717

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18TH DECEMBER, 2024

## MODERNIZATION OF PDS

3717. SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:

SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:

PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:

SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE :

SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH:

SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR  SONWANE:

Will  the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

anrtnT nra,  VIa aN tIT+gf:tq fB6m git be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken by Government to modernize the Public Distribution  System (PDS);
- (b) whether technology-dri\'en  initiatives  like  e-PoS machines and Aadhaar linkage have been fully implemented across:s States and  if so,  the  challenges  faced  during  the modernization process;
- (C3 the total number of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) operational under PDS, State-wise;
- (d) whether there have been closures of FPS in  rural or  remote areas and if  so, the measures taken to ensure uninterrupted operations of FPS in underserved regions;
- (e) the progress of the Smart PDS initiative in the country including the States where it has been nIlly  implemented aild its  impact on improving transparency and the timeline  for nationwide implementation;
- (f) whether a grievance redr&ssal mechanism exists to address complaints related to PDS and if  so, the number of  grievances registered and resolved during  the last three years; and
- (g) the steps taken to improve the effrciency of this mechanism?

## ANS \VER

MINIS'FF,R OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAiRS. FOOD & PUBLIC  \_DIS;TitIBUTION

(SHRIMA'FI N tMUBEN JAYAN'FIBKAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a): As part of the technojogy driven Public Distribution System (PDS) reforms, ration cards/beneficiaries database have  beQn completely  digitized in all States/UTs. The transparency portal  and  online \_ grievance redressal facility/Toll-free  number have been irnplemented in 3l] Stateg/UTs. Also of,line allocation has been iMplemented in all States/UTs (except tiTs, of Chimdigarh, Puducl-Gmy. and urban area ofDadra  & Nagar Haveli which have adopted DBT  Cash Transfer  scheme) and supply  chain  has been computerized in  31 States/U'I's.

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(b) &  (c): At  present,  99.8%  ration  cards are  seeded with  Aadhaar  number  at  national level. So far, 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 offoodgrains in a transparent manner (electronically) through biometric/  Aadlraar authentication of beneficiaries. A  state-wise statement of ePoS installed at Fair Price Shops is at Annexure-l.

(d): Public Distribution  System (PDS) is operated under the joint  responsibility of  the Central and the State/ Union Territory  (UT)  Governments. Central Government is responsible for  procurement,  allocation  and transportation  of foodg,'ains upto  the designated depots of the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The operational responsibilities for allocation of foodgrains within the  States/ U'Fs, identification of  eligible  beneficiaries, issuance of  ration  cards to them, distribution  of  foodgrains ta  eligible  benenciarieg under TPDS, Issuance of  license to Fair Price Shop dealers, supervision over and monitoring of functioning of FP,Ss etc. rest with the concerned State/ Ul- (lover11ments.

(e): This  Department has approved a new' scheme -  'Scheme for  Moderbization and Reforms Through Technology in  Public  Distribution  System (SMART-PDS)'.  The  said initiative is for taking forward the modenlizaiion of public distribution system by employing new and emerging technologies and other Infcunation  & Communications Technology (ICT) tools to improve efficiency of public  delivery, enb:'he  the reach to beneficiaries and timely delivery  of the ser-,'ices in  a tnore transparent manner.

So far 35 States/Ul-s have' signed' MoU far Implementation 'of SMART PDS Scheme (except Tamil Nadu).

(f) & (g): - Helpline number 1967/1800-State series number is  operational in  all  the States/' UTs for  contacting and redressa! of  the complaints  in Public Distribution System (PDS) and tiling  any type cSf Comj3lainLS by  the intended beneneiaries. As  and when complaints are received in  this  Department from  any source, they are sent to  State/ -UT Governments concerned for  inquiry  and appropriate action.  A  statement of  compJ,ants on TPDS received in the Department from  2019 to 2023 is at Annexure-H.

Further, the Targeted Public Distribution  System (Control) Order, 2015, empowers State/UT Governments to take punitive  action under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act,  1955, against any person who  contravenes any of the provisions  of the said Order.

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## Annexure-I

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN  REPLY TO PART (b)&(c) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3717 FOR ANSWER ON 18.12.2024 IN THE LOK SABHA.

## A state-wise statement of ePoS installed at Fair Price Shops

| S.N.   | State/UT                           | Total Fair Price Shops   | Operational with ePOS devices   |
|--------|------------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------|
| 1      | AndamanAnd Nicobar Islands         | 416                      | 416                             |
| 2      | Andhra Pradesh                     | 29,791                   | 29,791                          |
| 3      | Arunachal Pradesh                  | 1,680                    | 1,680                           |
| 4      | Assam                              | 34,300                   | 34,286                          |
| 5      | Bihar                              | 50,95 1                  | 50,95 1                         |
| 6      | Chandigarh                         | NA                       | NA                              |
| 7      | Chhattisgarh                       | a3                       | a3                              |
| 8      | Dadar& Nagar Haveli & Daman & Dill | 114                      | 114                             |
| 9      | Delhi                              | 1,993                    | 1,993                           |
| 10     | Goa                                | 452                      | 452                             |
| 11     | Gujarat                            | 16,949                   | 16,949                          |
| 12     | Haryana                            | 9,434                    | 9,434                           |
| 13     | Himaohal Pradesh                   | 5,219                    | 5,155                           |
| 14     | JammuAnd Kashmir                   | 6,737                    | 6,737                           |
| 15     | Jharkhand                          | 25,228                   | 25,228                          |
| 16     | Karnataka                          | 20,403                   | 20,325                          |
| 17     | Kerala                             | 13,913                   | 13,905                          |
| 18     | Ladakh                             | 404                      | 404                             |
| 19     | Lakshadweep                        | 39                       | 39                              |
| 20     | Madhya Pradesh                     | 27,377                   | 27, 127                         |
| 21     | Maharashtra                        | 52,642                   | 52,642                          |
| 22     | Manipur                            | 2,339                    | 2,339                           |
| 23     | Meghalaya                          | 4,735                    | 4,727                           |
| 24     | Mizoram                            | 1,258                    | 1 ,258                          |
| 25     | Nagaland                           | 1,783                    | 1,774                           |
| 26     | m(ms                               | 12,044                   | 12,044                          |
| 27     | Puducberr'                         | NA                       | NA                              |
| 28     | Punjab                             | 18,150                   | 18,150                          |
| 29     | Rajasthan                          | 27,062                   | 25,579                          |
| 3 0    | Sikkim                             | 1,312                    | 1,312                           |
| 31     | Tamil Nadu                         | 34,805                   | 34,805                          |
| 32     | Mgana                              | 17,246                   | 17,24i                          |
| 33     | Tripura                            | 2,057                    | 2,057                           |
| 34     | U.ttarakhand                       | 9,059                    | 9,059                           |
| 35     | Uttar Pradesh                      | 79,216                   | 79,216                          |
| 36     | West Bengal                        | 20,476                   | 20,476                          |
|        | ]Vational Summary                  | 5,43,259                 | 5,41 ,345                       |

## ANNEXURE  REFERRED TO IN  REPLY TO PART (f)&(g)  OF THE UNS'I'ARRF,D QUESTION NO.3717 FOR ANSWER ON 18.12.2024 IN THE LOK  SABHA.

## COMPLAINTS ON TPDS RECEIVED' TN THE DEPARTMENT FROM INDIVIDUALS, ORGANISATIONS & THROUGH MEDIA REPORTS ETC, FROM 2019 TO 2023

| S. No.   | State/ UT         | 2019   | 2020   | 202r   | 2622   | 2023   |
|----------|-------------------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|
| 1        | Andhra Pradeal    | 6      | 20     | 21     | 25     | 41     |
| 2        | Arunachal Pradesh |        |        |        |        | 10     |
| 3        | Assam             | 8      | 39     | 8      | 13     | 48     |
|          | Bihar             | 119    | 335    | 203    | 224    | 380    |
|          | Chhattjsgarh      | 7      | 17     | 38     | 39     | 35     |
|          | Delhi             |        | 186    | 185    | 212    | 256    |
|          | Goa               |        |        | 2      | 1      | 3      |
|          | Gujarat           |        | 36     | 33     | .147   |        |
|          | Raryah            |        | 69     | 83     | 87     | 347    |
|          | Himachal Pradesh  |        | 2      | 9      | 6      | 9      |
|          | J&K               |        | 7      | 8      | 19     |        |
|          | Jharkhand         |        | 49     | 185    | 236    | 348    |
|          | KarliM            |        | 69     | 18     | 38     | 85     |
|          | Kerala            |        | 13     | 13     | 7      |        |
|          | Madhya Pradesh    |        | 55     | 57     | IOt    | 187    |
| 16       | -Maharashtra      |        | 150    | 88     | 118    | 181    |
| 17       | m1 1=             |        | 2      |        |        |        |
| 18       | Meghalaya         |        |        |        |        |        |
| 19       | -&lizFrarn        |        |        |        |        |        |
| 20       | Nagaland          |        |        |        |        |        |
| 21       | OrisTa            |        | 39     | 57     | 44     |        |
| 22       | Punjab            |        | 32     | 20     | 31     |        |
| 23       | Raiah             |        | 45     | 54     | 72     |        |
| 24       | Sikh              |        |        |        |        |        |
| 25       | Tamil Nadu        |        | 46     | 57     | 55     | 103    |
| 26       | Telangalk         |        | 18     | 33     | 10     |        |
| 27       | TriDura           |        | 3      |        | 5      |        |
| 28       | Uttaram=t         | 14     | 27     | -37    | 53     | 54     |
| 29       | Uttar Pradesh     | 343    | 589    | 507    | 714    | n64    |
| 30       | West Bengal       | 51     | 213    | 150    | 129    | T69    |
| 3i       | My Isla;(i        |        |        |        | 3      |        |
| 32       | Chandra           |        | 5      | 7      | 4      |        |
| 33       | D& N Haveli       |        | 2      |        |        | 2      |
| 34       | Daman& Diu        |        |        |        |        | 1      |
| 35       | Dani              |        |        |        | 1      |        |
| 36       | Puducherrr'       |        | 6      |        | 3      | 2      |
| 37       | Ladakh            |        |        |        |        |        |
| TOTAL    | TOTAL             | 855    | 2076   | 1869   | 2398   | 4295   |

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