Lok Sabha Question No. 541 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: PDS  in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Tharaniventhan M S

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 541

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025

## PDS IN TAMIL  NADU

## 541.  SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:

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

- (a) the total number of beneficiaries currently covered under the Public Distribution  System (PDS) including Arani Lok  Sabha Constituency of Tamil  Nadu;
- (b) the quantity of foodgrains distributed through PDS during the last three years;
- (c) whether the Government has implemented any technology-driven reforms like Aadhaarbased authentication, ePDS or  online  monitoring  systems to  ensure proper  distribution  and curb malpractices, and if  so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has any plans to  expand the coverage of  PDS to  include nutritious  food  items like  millets,  vegetab]es or fortified foods and if  so, the  details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government is considering any reforms to the PDS and if  so, the details thereon

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA )

- (a): The National Food Security Act,  2013 provides for  coverage of about 62.55% of  the rural and 37.79% of the urban population for receiving foodgrains free of cost under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in the State of Tamil Nadu, which at Census 2011 comes to about 364.69 lakh persons. At present against the intended coverage of 364.69 lakh persons, the State Government has identified  364.12 lakh beneficiaries in Tamil  Nadu including  Arani Lok Sabha Constituency.

.....2/-

(b): About  23.41 LMT, 23.36 LMT  and 23.35 LMT  foodgrains  have been distributed  in  FY 2022-23, FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 respectivejy under PMGKAY  in Tamil Nadu including Arani Lok  Sabha Constituency.

(c): Under TPDS reforms, for better monitorinG of foodgrains distribution,  almost all FPSs have been automated by installation of e-PoS devices for the distribution of food-grains in a transparent manner (electronically) through biometric /Aadhaar authentication of  PMGKAY beneficiaries. The distribution  is done through Aadhaar authentication to curb the leakages and ensuring the transparency in PDS System.

(d): Under the National Food Security Act, 2013. the term 'foodgrains' is defined as rice, wheat or coarse grains or any combination thereof conforming to such quality norms as may be determined, by order, by the Central Govenrment from time to time. Therefore, the millets  are already part of PDS. At present, no proposal to include more commodities under the Act,  is under consideration of the Government.

To improve the level  of nutrition,  an advisory has been issued to all the States/UTs to procure millets  and distribute them to beneficiaries as per local consumption preferences and as per guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time.

(e): As part of the technology driven  Targeted Public Distribution  System (TPDS) reforms, with the aim  to enhance  transparency  and  improve efficiency in the TPDS,  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  a]location  has been implemented in  all  States/UTs and  supply chain  has  been  computerized in  31  States/UTs  (except  U'fs of  Chandigarh, Puduchemy and Urban area ofDadra &  Nagar Haveli  which  have adopted DBT  Cash Transfer scheme).

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