Lok Sabha Question No. 893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: PDS in Lakshadweep
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 893

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026

## PDS IN LAKSHADWEEP

## 893. SHRI MUHAMMED  HAMDULLAH SAYEED:

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

- (a): whether the Government has reviewed the implementation and functioning of the (PDS) in  the  Union  Territory of  Lakshadweep  in  view  of  its  geographical  isolation  and complete dependence on sea and air transport for  essential commodities;
- (b): if  so, the details of foodgrains and essential commodities allocated, lifted and distributed under PDS in Lakshadweep during the last three years and the current year;
- (c): whether the Government is  aware of reports regarding delays in supply, shortages, quality  issues and irregular distribution  of PDS commodities in certain islands of Lakshadweep;
- (d): if  so, whether any representations or  complaints have been received from  residents, elected representatives or the UT Administration  regarding deficiencies in the implementation of PDS in Lakshadweep;
- (e): if  so, the details thereof; and
- (f): the details of the steps being taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure timely  transportation,  adequate  allocation, quality control, transparency and effective monitoring of the PDS in Lakshadweep?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (f):  The National Food Security Act,  2013 (NFS A),  being implemented in all the States/UTs on all-India basis, aims to supplement the food requirements of up to 7 SCY, of the rural and up to 50% of the urban population. In order to strengthen implementation of NFS A, 2013, the concurrent evaluation of the implementation of NFSA, 2013 was conducted  in 2021-22 and 2022-23 for UT of Lakshadweep by University of Kerala.

Lifting  and distribution  of  foodgrains under TPDS  is a continuous process. States/UT's lift foodgrains  from Central  Pool for distribution under  TPDS  as  per  requirement/entitlement. States/UT's are also allowed to lift  foodgrains in advance  (higher quantity based on supply chain requirements) for future distribution cycles, owing to their local exigencies.

Details of  allocation, lifting  and distribution under TPDS and OWS of  foodgrains to Lakshadweep during last three Financial Years (2022-2025) and current year is at Annexure-I.

Targeted Public Distribution  System (TPDS) under National Food Security Act  (NFS A), 2013 is operated under the joint  responsibility of  the Central and the State/Union Territory  (UT) Governments. The operational responsibilities  for  allocation of  foodgrains within  the  States/ UTs, identification of eligible beneficiaries, issuance of ration cards to them, distribution offoodgrains to eligible  beneficiaries under TPDS, issuance of  license to Fair Price Shop dealers, supervision over and monitoring  of functioning of  FPSs etc. rest with  the concerned State/ UT  Governments.

Accordingly, as and when any type of complaints/ grievances related to TPDS are received in  this Department from  any source, they are sent to concerned State/ UT  Governments for inquiry and appropriate  action. Further, no specific complaint cases related to irregular  distribution  of  PDS commodities in  certain islands of  Lakshadweep or deficiencies in  the implementation of PDS in Lakshadweep have been received.

As part of technological reforms, the scheme of  End-to-End Computerization of PDS has been implemented all  over the country. A  significant  progress has been achieved at the national level in terms of  100% digitization of ration cards, installation of electronic Point of  Sale (ePoS) devices, implementation of  One Nation  One Ration  Card, computerisation of  supply chain management, online grievance redressal systems and initiation  of transparency  portals that ensures transparency and rightful  targeting of NFS A  beneficiaries in the country through Aadhar-biometric authentication

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## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to  (D OF UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 893  FOR ANSWER ON 04.02.2026  IN THE LOK SABHA

in Thousand Tons

| Year      | Foodgrain   |   Allocation |   Offtake |   Distribution |
|-----------|-------------|--------------|-----------|----------------|
| 2022-23   | Rice        |        5.592 |     4.985 |         0.1611 |
| 2022-23   | Wheat       |        0.062 |     0.062 |         0      |
| 2022-23   | Total       |        5.981 |     5.276 |         0.1611 |
| 2023-24   | Rice        |        4.848 |     3.941 |         0.9301 |
| 2023-24   | Wheat       |        0.068 |     0.016 |         0      |
| 2023-24   | Total       |        4.916 |     3.957 |         0.9301 |
| 2024-25   | Rice        |        4.978 |     4.878 |         1.34   |
| 2024-25   | Wheat       |        0     |     0     |         0      |
| 2024-25   | Total       |        4.978 |     4.878 |         1.34   |
| 2025-26 # | Rice        |        4.943 |     2.856 |         1.183  |
| 2025-26 # | Wheat       |        0.044 |     0     |         0      |
| 2025-26 # | Total       |        4.988 |     2.856 |         1.1389 |

Note (#)  Offtake and Distribution data offoodgrains  for 2025-26 is upto December, 2025.