Lok Sabha Question No. 1793 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Reports on Quality of Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Rama Devi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1793 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13TH DECEMBER, 2023

## REPORT ON QUALITY OF FOODGRAINS

t1793. SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION WIgtnt wta,  aTV at  €T8tfqq f+var ++  be pleased  to state:

- (a) whether a detailed report is available with  the Government regarding the quality of foodgrains distributed  through the Public Distribution  System
- (PDS);
- (b) if so, the details  thereof, State-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any concrete measures to ensure that only good quality foodgrains are distributed through PDS and the same is used for preparation of meals under the Mid-day Meal Schemes;
- and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT  AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) & (b) Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the  joint responsibility of the Central  and  the  State/UT  Governments. Central Government is  responsible for  procurement, allocation and transportation of  food-grains upto  the  designated depots of  the  Food Corporation of India (FOI). The operational responsibilities for  intra-state allocation  and  distribution  of foods-rains within the States/UTs, identification of  eligible  beneficiaries, issuance of  ration  cards and supervision and monitoring of the Fair Price Shops (FPSs) etc. rest with  the concerned State/UT Governments. Regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of food products are being carried out by the machinery of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/UTs to check compliance of  the  standards laid down under Food Safety and

Standards Act 2006, Rules and Regulations made there under.

- (c) & (d):  Yes, Government has issued following  instructions to  State Governments/UTs and F01 to ensure the supply of good quality food-grains under PDS and other welfare schemes (OWS):
- > Only  good  quality  food-grains free  from  insect  infestation and conforming to Food Safety Standards are to be issued under TPDS and
- other welfare schemes.
- > Ample opportunities are provided to the State Government/UT Administration to inspect the stocks prior to lifting from FCI godowns. State/UTs may ensure that officers not below the rank of Inspector are deputed for inspection of the food-grains before their lifting from FCI
- godowns.
- Samples of food-grains are to be collected and sealed from the stocks of food-grains to  be issued under the  TPDS jointly  by  FCI and State Government/UT Administration. >
- An officer not below the rank of Inspector is to  be deputed from State Government to  take the delivery of food-grains stocks from Fei >
- godowns.
- Regular inspection to check the quality of food-grains is to be carried out by the officers of State Government. >
- It is the responsibility of the concerned State Government/UT Administration to  ensure that  during transportation and storage at different stages in  the  distribution chain, the  food-grains retain the >
- required quality specifications.
- The State Government, where the decentralized procurement is  in operation, should ensure that  the  quality  of food-grains issued under TPDS and other welfare schemes should meet the desired standards >
- under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

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