Lok Sabha Question No. 64 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-01
Subject: Quality of Foodgrains under PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: DALPAT SINGH PARASTE, RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 64

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01 ST  MARCH, 2016

## QUALITY OF FOODGRAINS UNDER PDS

## *64. SHRI DALPAT SINGH PARASTE:

## SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

Will  the  Minister  of  CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk  ekeys]  [kk|  vkSj  lkoZtfud  forj.k  ea=h be  pleased  to state:

- (a)   whether complaints regarding distribution of poor quality foodgrains  under  the  Public  Distribution  System  (PDS)  have  been received, if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken in this regard during the last three years, State-wise;
- (b)   the quality norms  fixed for various foodgrains under PDS, foodgrain-wise;
- (c)   whether  the  Government  monitors  the  quality  of  foodgrains distributed through PDS;
- (d)   if so, the details thereof along with the mechanism put in place for the purpose and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)   whether there is any grievance redressal system under the PDS for beneficiaries in relation to quality of foodgrains supplied to them and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI RAM  VILAS PASWAN)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

***

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  THE STARRED QUESTION NO 64 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 01.03.2016 IN THE LOK SABHA

- (a): State-wise  details  of  the  complaints  about  supply  of  poor  quality foodgrains  under  Public  Distribution  System  (PDS)  and  Other  Welfare Schemes and action taken  by the Government during last three years and current year are at Annex-I.
- (b) The quality norms of various foodgrains for issue under PDS, foodgrain-wise are at Annex-II.
- (c)  &  (d):  Yes  madam.  Government  monitors  the  quality  of  foodgrains distributed through the PDS. There are standing instructions to ensure that only  good  quality  foodgrains  are  issued  from  FCI  godowns  to  State Governments for distribution under PDS, which are as under:
- (i) Only  good  quality  foodgrains  free  from  insect  infestation  and conforming to Food Safety Standards are to be issued under PDS.
- (ii) Ample opportunities are to be provided to the State Government to check the quality of  foodgrains  prior  lifting  the  foodgrains  stocks from FCI godowns.
- (iii) Samples  of  foodgrains  are  to  be  collected  and  sealed  from  the stocks of foodgrains to be issued under the PDS jointly by FCI and State Governments/UT Administrations.
- (iv) An  officer  not  below  the  rank  of  Inspector  is  to  be  deputed  from State Government to take the delivery of foodgrain stocks from FCI godowns.
- (v) Regular  inspection  to  check  the  quality  of  foodgrains  is  to  be carried out by the officers of State Government.
- (vi) It  is  the  responsibility  of  the  concerned  State  Governments/  UT Administrations to ensure that during transportation and storage at different stages in the distribution chain, the foodgrains retain the required quality specifications.
- (vii) The State Government, where the decentralized procurement is in operation, should ensure that the quality of foodgrains issued under PDS and other welfare schemes should meet the desired standards prescribed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Before lifting of stocks of foodgrain from FCI godowns,  State Government representatives in association with FCI analyse samples drawn jointly  from  the  stacks  to  check  the  quality  of  the  stock.  Only  after satisfaction  about  the  quality,  the  stock  is  issued  to  State  Government alongwith  sealed  representative  sample.  After  issue  of  foodgrain  to  the State Government the quality is monitored by State Governments.

Quality control cells of the Department of Food & Public Distribution Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, New Delhi, Patna  & Pune also monitor the quality of central pool foodgrains in food storage depots of FCI and State located at Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubneshwar, Chennai, Governments.

(e): Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/UT Governments. The operational responsibilities  including  complaints/grievance  redressal  rest with the concerned State/UT Governments.

In order to maintain supplies and to secure availability and distribution of essential commodities, Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001 has  been  notified  on  31.08.2001  by  the  Government  which  mandates  the State/UT  Governments  to  carry  out  all  required  action  to  ensure  smooth functioning of TPDS. Under the said Order, the State/UT Governments are responsible  for  implementing  TPDS.  As  far  as  quality  of  foodgrains  is concerned,  the  requirement  of  joint  inspection  of  foodgrains  have  been explained  in  the  said  Order.  State  Governments  are  competent  to  take TPDS  by  invoking action against those indulging in malpractices in provisions of the said Order.

Some  States/UTs  have  established  toll  free  help  line  numbers  for redressal and registration of grievances under TPDS.

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, also provides for a two-tier grievance redressal mechanism comprising of District Grievance Redressal Officer  (DGRO)  at  District  level  and  State  Food  Commission  (SFC)  at  the

State level.

In  order  to  bring  the  PDS(C)  Order,  2001,  in  consonance  with  the National Food Security Act, 2013, (NFSA), the Targeted Public Distribution System  (Control)  Order,  2015  has  been  notified  in  supersession  of  the PDS(C)  Order,  2001  for  maintaining  supplies  and  securing  availability  and distribution of foodgrains under the TPDS.

Provisions of the TPDS Control Order 2015 inter-alia address the issue of  quality  control,  joint  inspection  of  foodgrains,  monitoring,  penalty  etc. State Governments are required to take action against those indulge in any irregularity  including  those  affecting  quality  of  foodgrains  for  smooth implementation of TPDS.

******

## ANNEX REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF STARRED QUESTION NO 64 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 st  MARCH, 2016 IN LOK SABHA.

## STATE-WISE  DETAILS  OF  THE  COMPLAINTS  ABOUT  SUPPLY  OF  POOR  QUALITY  FOODGRAINS UNDER PDS AND OTHER WELFARE SCHEMES AND ACTION TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT DURING LAST THREE YEARS AND CURRENT YEAR (AS ON 24.02.2016)

| Year    | State                                        | Complaint                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Action Taken by the Government                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|---------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2015-16 | NCT, Delhi Maharashtra Jammu& Kashmir Kerala | A complaint was received from Indraprastha Welfare Association, New Delhi regarding Supply of poor quality of foodgrain in Moti Nagar, Area of Delhi A Complaint received from Secretary, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department, Govt. of Maharashtra - regarding supply of luster loss wheat from FCI base depot, Jalgoan and MSWC, Nanded A Complaint was received from Director of Consumer affair & P.D. Deptt, Kashmir- regarding Supply of below standard quality wheat under Wheat Relaxation Scheme. A complaint was received from Kerala Ration Wholesale Distributor Federation, Kottayam in FCI regarding five bags of damaged rice from FSD Valianthura to PDS. | The complaint was got investigated by deputing an officer of the Ministry. The complaint was not found to be true. Instructions were issued to all State Governments to accept the luster loss wheat procured during RMS 2015-16 under the relaxed specifications as luster lost wheat is as nutritious as sound wheat only shining is less and the quality of wheat is intact and good.. -do- The complaint was got investigated by Area Manager Thiruvanathapuram and found that stock were lifted by State Government nominee after proper acknowledgement about their satisfaction on quality. |
| 2014-15 | Tamil Nadu NCT Delhi Odisha                  | A complaint was received from Shri B Lokanathan, resident of Coimbatore regarding supply of foodgrains beyond Food Safety Standard under PDS in Tamil Nadu in July 2014. A complaint was received from Delhi Jan Kalyan Vikas Manch, Mangolpuri regarding supply of substandard foodgrains from FSD Ghevra with the connivance of depot incharge FSD Ghevra and incharge of Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation in July 2014 A complaint has been received from Shri Ganesh Lal Aggarwal, Sr. Citizen, Sambalpur, Odisha regarding supply of poor quality of rice under                                                                                                                   | The complaint was forwarded to CMD, FCI to investigate the complaint. FCI has informed that complaint was not found to be true. The complaint was forwarded to CMD,FCI and Secretary, Food & Civil Supplies, Government of NCT Delhi to get the complaint investigated and to ensure supply good quality foodgrains to be issued under PDS. The complaint was investigated by an officer of this Department and not found to be true.                                                                                                                                                              |

|         | Kerala        | A complaint has been received in FCI from Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd, North Paravur Depot regarding supply of 17 bags of rice from FSD Angamally for Mid Day Meal Scheme in October 2014   | General Manager (Region), FCI, Kerala had informed that the complaint was not found to be true.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------|---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2013-14 | Uttar Pradesh | A complaint was received from Shri Atul Gupta, Resident of Baharaich regarding issue of sub-standard rice stocks received from Shajahanpur under PDS.                                                       | CMD, FCI has been requested to investigate the matter and ensure supply of good quality foodgrains to State Governments. Principal Secretary (Food & Civil Supplies Department), Government of Uttar Pradesh has also been requested to ensure that good quality foodgrains are issued under PDS to consumers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| 2013-14 | Kerala        | A complaint was received from J N Rai resident of Sirsiyan, District Gorakhpur regarding distribution of poor quality of foodgrains under PDS in Gorakhpur A complaint was received from Shri               | The complaint was forwarded to Principal Secretary, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh to investigate the complaint and to ensure that good quality foodgrains are issued under PDS to consumers. The complaint was got investigated                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| 2013-14 |               | Suresh Kumar, resident of Calicut regarding supply of inferior quality of foodgrains under PDS in Kerala.                                                                                                   | by deputing an officer of this Ministry and the officers from FCI. Based on the report CMD, FCI was requested to take remedial measures for upgradation of the stocks before issue under PDS as also action against delinquents and ensure that only good quality foodgrains are issued under PDS. Principal Secretary (Food & Civil Supplies), Government of Kerala has also been requested to ensure that good quality foodgrains are issued under PDS to consumers. The complaint has been forwarded to CMD, FCI and Principal Secretary (Food & Civil Supplies), Government of Maharashtra for investigation and necessary action. They have also been requested to ensure the supply and distribution of good quality foodgrains |
| 2013-14 | Maharashtra   | A complaint was received from Shri Anil Mishra, Member of Legislative Council, Maharashtra regarding supply of inferior quality of foodgrains under PDS in Maharashtra.                                     | issued under PDS.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |

| 2012-13   | Puducherry    | A complaint received from State President, Nationalist Congress Party, Puducherry regarding supply of poor quality rice stock in the State.                                                                               | The complaint was got investigated through Food Corporation of India and State Government of Puducherry. The complaint was not found to be true.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-----------|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|           | Maharashtra   | FCI has informed that a complaint was received regarding issue of contaminated wheat stock to PDS from MSWC, Aurangabad during March/April, 2012.                                                                         | The complaint was got investigated by CMD MSWC, Pune who reported that contaminated stock were not offered under PDS. Only good quality foodgrain have been issued under PDS. Government of Maharashtra has informed that in an incident at Mauje Ganori, Taluka, Fulambri and Aurangabad contaminated wheat received at fair price shop was replaced and wheat of fair average quality was distributed to the card holders.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|           | Gujarat       | A complaint was received in May, 2012 from Jivabhai Ambalal Patel, Ex-MP (LS) regarding Poor Quality Foodgrains being supplied from FCI and requested for instructions to be issued.                                      | No specific instance was raised in the complaint; however, detailed procedure for supply of good quality foodgrains under PDS from FCI godowns has been apprised to the complainant.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|           | Uttar Pradesh | A complaint was received from Mrs. Annu Tandon Hon'ble Member of Parliament (LS) in March 2013 regarding poor quality of foodgrains supplied under PDS in Sanjar Khera Gram Sabha of block Hitauli in district Unnao(UP). | The complaint has been forwarded to State Government of Uttar Pradesh for investigation, since implementation of PDS at PFS level is the responsibility of State Government. However, an officer of this Ministry was also deputed for assessing the factual position, who has reported that Fair Price Shop situated at Choudhary Tola of Maurawa town is catering the need of four villages including Sanjar Khera. On the day of inspection of fair price shop on 9.4.2013 fresh stock of wheat & rice received during 30.3.2013 to 4.4.2013 was available. The sample of wheat and rice of this stock have been found within issue norms. The inspecting officer also inspected food storage depot from where the stock is issued to the above fair price shop and the stocks have been also found well within the prescribed norms. |

******

<!-- image -->

## ANNEX REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF STARRED QUESTION NO 64 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 st MARCH, 2016 IN LOK SABHA.

## THE QUALITY NORMS OF VARIOUS FOODGRAINS FOR ISSUE UNDER PDS, FOODGRAIN-WISE

All stocks of foodgrains (wheat and rice) stored under Central Pool shall be divided into two categories:-

- (i) Issuable stocks :

Fit for human consumption within Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) standards.

- (ii) Non-Issuable stocks

:The stocks containing damaged grains above 6% in case of wheat & 5% in case of rice shall be treated as Non-Issuable stock, unfit for human consumption.

-  Issuable Stocks :

These shall be categorized under two heads:

- (a) Ready stocks:    These stocks of wheat and rice may be issued under PDS and other welfare schemes of Government of India.
- (i) Wheat:    Stock of A and B categories conforming to FSSAI standards and free from  insect  infestation  having  foreign  matter  upto  1%  including  inorganic foreign matter upto 0. 5%.
- (ii) Rice: Stock of A, B & C categories conforming to FSSAI standards and free from insect infestation. These stocks may be issued under the PDS and other Welfare Schemes of the Govt. Of India, provided the refractions are upto 20% in  excess  of  the  Uniform  Specifications  of  the  relevant  marketing  season  in respect  of  broken  grains,  chalky  grains,  red  grains,  dehusked  grains  and  the incidence  of  foreign  matter  does  not  exceeded  1%  including  rice  bran. Inorganic foreign matter should not exceed 0. 5%.
- (b) Upgradable stocks :  All stocks of wheat and rice other than ' Ready stocks' but containing damaged grains within FSSAI standards shall form part of upgradable stocks:
- (i) The quality  of  these  stocks  should  be  thoroughly  examined  by  a  Committee comprising  of  officers  from  Quality  Control,  finance  &  Accounts  wings  at appropriate  levels  to  certify  that  these  stocks  are  not  conforming  to  'Ready stock' and not falling in the category of 'Non-Issuable' stocks.
- (ii) These  stocks  may,  wherever  possible,  be  upgraded  by  manual  methods  i.e. cleaning, reconditioning etc. under the supervision of Quality Control officers. Such  upgraded  wheat  and  rice  after  certification  by  Quality  Control  officers regarding its fitness may be issued under PDS and other welfare schemes of Government of India.

*******