Lok Sabha Question No. 717 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: PMGKAY in Dakshina Kannada
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 717

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026

## PMGKAY IN DAKSHINA KANNADA

## 717. SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:

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

- (a): whether the Government has identified  implementation  gaps under Pradhan Mantri  Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)  in  Dakshina Kannada particularly cases where eligible beneficiaries  were unable to access free foodgrains due to pending e-KYC verification,  Point-ofSale (PoS) device failures or ration card portability issues;
- (b): if  so, the details thereof and the corrective measures taken by the Government to ensure uninterrupted supply;
- (c): whether it  is a fact that over 17,000 beneficiaries in  Dakshina Kannada are yet to complete their e-KYC  and if  so, the details regarding the delay and any action  has been taken by the Government to resolve the same;
- (d): whether complaints regarding irregularities  such as denial of  ration, delayed delivery or administrative confusion were formally  recorded and if  so, the corrective actions initiated by the authorities in this regard; and
- (e): the steps taken by  the Government to  ensure quality checks and timely  replacement of substandard foodgrains distributed and to prevent recurrence of lapses?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): The Government has not received any specific grievance or  report indicating systemic implementation gaps under the  Pradhan Mantri  Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)  in Dakshina Kannada district,  including  instances of eligible  beneficiaries being unable to access free foodgrains due to pending e-KYC  verification,  Point-of-Sale  (PoS) device failures or ration card portability  issues. As  on  date, 98.72%  of  beneficiaries in  Karnataka have completed e-KYC verification.  Further, in  the State of  Karnataka,  100% ration cards and beneficiaries are Aadhaarseeded and about 99.4% of  Fair  Price Shops (FPSs) are fully  online, enabling smooth implementation of the scheme.
- (b): This  Department has advised all  States/UTs that no  genuine beneficiary is  denied foodgrains under PM-GKAY  even in cases where temporary issues such as authentication failure or technical constraints arise. Adequate alternative mechanisms  and administrative safeguards are in place to ensure uninterrupted supply of entitled foodgrains.
- (c): At  present, 98.72% of  beneficiaries in Karnataka have already completed e-KYC.  Further, the State Government has been advised to expedite the completion of e-KYC  for  the remaining beneficiaries through  targeted outreach and facilitation  at Fair Price Shops and designated  centers to ensure full  coverage.
- (d): No  specific complaint  of  denial of ration, delayed delivery  or administrative confusion has been received. Further, all  States/UTs have been advised that no  genuine beneficiary/household shall  be  denied from  receiving entitled quota of  subsidized foodgrains due  to  failure  of biometric/Aadhaar authentication due  to network/connectivity/linking related  issues, other technical reasons or proof  of biometrics of the beneficiary.
- (e): To ensure quality and safety of  foodgrains distributed under PM-GKAY,  regular quality checks are conducted  by teams of the Food Corporation of  India (FC:I) and the Storage &  Research (S&R)  division  of  the  Department in  accordance  with  prescribed norms. Foodgrains found to  be below the Uniform  Specifications are promptly  replaced as per laid-down  procedures. Further, the Department has formulated and issued Quality Control Manual to uniformly  maintain the quality standards of  foodgrains from procurement  to its distribution to the eligible beneficiaries through various social security programmes  of  GoI. These measures, along with  continuous monitoring, help prevent recurrence  of lapses and ensure timely  supply of quality  foodgrains to beneficiaries.

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