Lok Sabha Question No. 335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Distribution of Foodgrains under PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.335

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27TH NOVEMBER, 2024

## DISTRIBUTION OF FOODGRAINS UNDER PDS

## 335 DR. KALANIDHI  VEERASWAMY:

Will  the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION wiM wa,  ala at  tndafi% fa6wl git be pleased  to state:

- (a) the current status of  Public Distribution System (PDS) in India, including the number of beneficiaries and total  quantity of  foodgrains distributed through system annually within  Tamil Nadu !
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to address challenges in PDS, particularly in terms of ensuring timely and adequate food  distribution to  beneficiaries, especially in  remote and underserved areas;
- (c) the measures being implemented to reduce leakages, corruption and diversion of  foodgrains in the PDS and the extent to which  these have been effective so far;
- (d) whether the Government has identified  and addressed instances of  exclusion or noncoverage of eligible  families  from  PDS, particularly  in rural  and economically backward areas and if  so, the number of such cases which  have been rectified;
- (e) the manner in which the Government is ensuring quality  of  foodgrains provided through the PDS; and
- (f) whether there are any quality  control  measures in place to prevent substandard grains from being distributed and if  so, the details thereoP

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): Targeted Public  Distribution  System (TPDS)  governed under National  Food  Security Act, 2013  (NFSA) is operated  under  the  joint responsibility of  the  Central  and  the  State/UT Governments. The operational responsibilities for allocation of  foodgrains within  the States/UTs, identification of eligible beneficiaries  &  families, issuance of ration cards to them, distribution of foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries,  supervision and monitoring of functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) etc. rest with the concerned State/ UT Governments. At present,  there are 3.61 crore NFSA beneficiaries  in  Tamil  Nadu State. A  total  quantity of  25.7 LMT  foodgrains allocated annually under NFS A for Tamil Nadu State

(b) &  (c): Under PDS  reforms,  ration cards/beneficiaries  database have  been  completely digitized in all  States/UTs, transparency portal and online grievance redressal facility/Toll-free number have been implemented in all  States/UTs. Further online allocation has been implemented in all States/UTs (except UTs of Chandigarh, Puduchemy and urban areas ofDadra & Nagar Haveli which  have adopted DBT  Cash Transfer  scheme) and supply  chain has been computerized in  31 States/UTs. Presently, 99.8% ration  cards are seeded with  Aadhaar number at national  level and almost all  FPSs have been automated by installation  of  e-PoS devices for  the distribution  of  foodgrains in a transparent  manner (electronically)  through biometric  /Aadhaar authentication of NFS A beneficiaries.

(d): As per the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Control Order 2015, the review of ration cards/beneficiaries list, identification of ineligible/ duplicate ration cards and inclusion of eligible  beneficiaries/households  is  the  responsibility of  concerned State/UT Govemment. States/UTs have been advised to undertake proper verification  (including field  verification)  of each identified case to  ensure that  ration  cards- of  genuine beneficiaries  are not  deleted/ suspended.

(e) &  (f):  This Department has formulated and issued a Quality Contol Manual, in  order to maintain the quality standards of foodgrains from procurement  to its distribution to the eligible beneficiaries

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