Lok Sabha Question No. 41 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Assessment of PDS Operations
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Smt. Roopkumari Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 41 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025

## ASSESSMENT OF PDS OPERATIONS

## 841.  SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI: SMT. ROOPKUMARI  CHOUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether the  Government has conducted any  assessment regarding the  operation of  the  Public Distribution  System (PDS) in  aspirational districts of  the country, State and district-wise particularly in Sirohi district of Rajasthan,  North-East India and various districts of Uttar Pradesh including Baghpat Lok Sabha Constituency;
- (b) if so,  the  objectives  and  key  findings of  the  said  assessment along  with the  list  of  aspirational districts of Bihar;
- (c) whether the  Government has identified  specific areas for  improvement related to  procurement, storage,  distribution  or grievance redressal under the PDS in the country, State and district-wise particularly in  Chhattisgarh State and Tribal  dominated districts  State and district-wise  like Palghar in Maharashtra;
- (d) if  so, the details thereof particularly in  respect of  various districts of  Uttar  Pradesh including Baghpat Lok Sabha Constituency;
- (e) the efforts being made to connect other eligible  persons to the said scheme;
- (f) the key findings and corrective actions of any assessment,  survey or review conducted by the Central or State Governments regarding the operation of the PDS, availability  of food grains, offtake/lifting, distribution, transparency, Aadhaar/e-PoS authentication and efficiency of the grievance redressal mechanism in the country particularly  aspirational districts of Chhattisgarh;
- (g) the details of  the quantity of  various  grains distributed by the Government through the PDS during the last three years, year-wise and State-wise particularly  in respect ofHimachal  Pradesh; and
- (h) the details of beneficiaries receiving various grains through the PDS particularly  in respect ofHimachal  Pradesh, grain-wise, year-wise and State-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION AND MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) to (h):

A  statement is laid  on the Table  of the House

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN  REPLY TO PARTS (a) To (h) OF LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 41* (1ST POSITION) FOR ANSWER ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025 REGARDING ' ASSESSMENT OF PDS OPERATIONS'

(a) and (b): The  Department undertook  an  exercise to  assess the  functioning  of  PDS operations and implementation of  Pradhan Mantri  Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)  across all  112 Aspirational Districts between  June-August 2025. The objectives of the exercise were to assess the i) functioning  of Fair Price Shops (FPS), ii)  review procurement centre operations, iii)  evaluate  the  infrastructure and efficiency of depots under the Food Corporation of India  (FCI) and the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), iv) gather feedback from  beneficiaries under PN/IGKAY and v) address grievances raised through CPGRAMS in these districts.  In total, the exercise covered 1 13 Procurement Centres, 277 Fair Price Shops, 108 depots and interactions with 458 PMGKAY beneficiaries. The list  of districts  covered in the exercise including  in the States of Rajasthan,  Uttar Pradesh, North-eastern states and Bihar is at Annexure-  I.

(c) to (f): Based on the assessment undertaken across all  112 Aspirational Districts, the Government has identified specific areas where further strengthening of  procurement, storage, distribution, and grievance-redressal mechanisms  would enhance overall efficiency of the Public Distribution System.

In  procurement operations, the  exercise found that  the  majority  of  procurement centres were functioning effectively, however certain centres would benefit from upgraded infrastructural  facilities and ensuring timely  payments  for MSP to farmers.

In storage,  while  FCI and CWC  depots largely met prescribed parameters,  opportunities were noted for  improving infrastructure, training on scientific storage practices for  FCI and CWC officials and creating a self-assessment tool for State storage depots similar to the Depot Darpan portal.

In distribution, Fair Price Shops generally functioned satisfactorily and beneficiaries reported high levels of  satisfaction with  e-PoS based delivery;  however, in a small number of cases, connectivity  issues and device failures led to delays or multiple visits. The exercise identified scope to enhance beneficiary awareness on PMGKAY,  fortified  rice, and portability;  provide e-receipts to beneficiaries  ensure timely payment of  commission to FPS dealers and ensure minimum  facilities  at FPSs.

In grievance-redressal, the assessment highlighted  the need for more integrated grievance channels, improved functioning of  Vigilance  Committees and State Food Commissions and introduce Al-  based solutions to gather feedback from beneficiaries.

(g): A  statement  with the  details of the  quantity of  various grains  distributed by  the  Government through the PDS during the last three years, year-wise and State-wise is at Annexure-  II.

(h): A statement with the details of beneficiaries receiving various grains through the PDS grain-wise, year-wise and State-wise is at Annexure-  III.

je sescase

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) and (b) OF STARRED QUESTION No. 41* FOR ANSWER ON 03.12.2025 IN THE LOK  SABHA

## List  of Aspirational  Districts  covered state-wise:

|    | State             | District     |
|----|-------------------|--------------|
|    | Andhra Pradesh    | Vizianagaram |
| 2  | Andhra Pradesh    | )            |
| 3  | Andhra Pradesh    | a            |
|    | Arunachal Pradesh | Namsai       |
|    | Assam             | GoaIDara     |
|    | Assam             | m)           |
| 7  | Assam             | a            |
| 8  | Assam             | Baksa        |
| 9  | Assam             | Darran       |
| 10 | Assam             | ml           |
| 11 | Assam             | mI           |
| 12 | Bihar             | Sitamarhi    |
| 13 | Bihar             | Araria       |
| 14 | Bihar             | Purnia       |
| 15 | Bihar             | Katihar      |
| 16 | Bihar             | MuzaffarDur  |
| 17 | Bihar             | mt           |
| 18 | Bihar             | ma           |
| 19 | Bihar             | Banka        |
| 20 | Bihar             | She'ikhDura  |
| 21 | Bihar             | a            |
| 22 | Bihar             | Ga),a        |
| 23 | Bihar             | ma           |
| 24 | Bihar             | Jamui        |
| 25 | Chhattjsgarh      | Korba        |
|    | a                 | Rajnandgaon  |
|    | Chhattjsgarh      | Mahasamund   |
|    | a                 | Kanker       |
|    | Chhattjsgarh      | Narayanpur   |
| 30 | a                 | Dantewada    |
|    | Chhattjsgarh      | Bij aDur     |
|    | a                 | ma           |
|    |                   | Kondagaon    |
| 34 | a                 | mt           |
| 35 | Gujarat           | Dahod        |
| 36 | Gujarat           | Narmada      |
| 37 | Haryana           | Null (Mewat) |
| 38 | r                 | Chamba       |
| 39 | Jammu& Kashmir    | Baramulla    |

|   40 | Jammu& Kashmir   | Kupwara              |
|------|------------------|----------------------|
|   41 | Jharkhand        | Bokaro               |
|   42 | Jharkhand        | Chatra               |
|   43 | Jharkhand        | Dumka                |
|   44 | Jharkhand        | EastSinghbhum        |
|   45 | Jharkhand        | Garhwa               |
|   46 | Jharkhand        | Giridih              |
|   47 | Jharkhand        | Godda                |
|   48 | Jharkhand        | Gumla                |
|   49 | Jharkhand        | @)agh                |
|   50 | Jharkhand        | Latehar              |
|   51 | Jharkhand        | Lohardaga            |
|   52 | Jharkhand        | Pakur                |
|   53 | Jharkhand        | Palamu               |
|   54 | Jharkhand        | Ranchi               |
|   55 | Jharkhand        | Sahibganj            |
|   56 | Jharkhand        | Simdega              |
|   57 | Jharkhand        | l                    |
|   58 | Jharkhand        | Khunti               |
|   59 | Jharkhand        | Ramgarh              |
|   60 | Karnataka        | Yadgir               |
|   61 | Karnataka        | Raichur              |
|   62 | Kerala           | Wavanad              |
|   63 | Madhya Pradesh   | Barwani              |
|   64 | Madhya Pradesh   | Chhatarpur           |
|   65 | Madhya Pradesh   | Damoh                |
|   66 | Madhya Pradesh   | East Nimar (Khandwa) |
|   67 | a                | Guna                 |
|   68 | Madhya Pradesh   | Rajgarh              |
|   69 | Madhya Pradesh   | Vidisha              |
|   70 | a                | Singrau li           |
|   71 | Maharashtra      | Gadchiroli           |
|   72 | Maharashtra      | Washim               |
|   73 | Maharashtra      | Nandurbar            |
|   74 | Maharashtra      | Osmanabad            |
|   75 | Manipur          | Chandel              |
|   76 | Meghalaya        | Ri Bhoi              |
|   77 | Z                | Mamit                |
|   78 | Nagaland         | Kiphire              |
|   79 | Odisha           | Balangjr             |
|   80 | Odisha           | 1                    |
|   81 | Odisha           | GajaDati             |
|   82 | Odisha           | a                    |
|   83 | Odisha           | Kandhamal            |
|   84 | Odisha           | Koraput              |
|   85 | Odisha           | Malkangjri           |
|   86 | Odisha           |                      |
|   87 | Odisha           | NuaDada              |
|   88 | Odisha           | ma                   |
|   89 | Puniab           | m)                   |

|   90 | Punjab        | Moga                     |
|------|---------------|--------------------------|
|   91 | Raiasthan     | ma                       |
|   92 | Ma            | DhoIDur                  |
|   93 | ma            | a                        |
|   94 | a             | Karauli                  |
|   95 | ma            | Sirohi                   |
|   96 | Sikkim        | Gyalshing (West Sil(kim) |
|   97 | Tamil Nadu    | RamanathaDuram           |
|   98 | Tamil Nadu    | Virudhunagar             |
|   99 | Telangana     | @shankar Bhoq)alapally   |
|  100 | a             | KumuramBheen Asifabad    |
|  101 | a             | Bhadradri Kothagudem     |
|  102 | m)            | Dhalai                   |
|  103 | a             | Bahraich                 |
|  104 | Uttar Pradesh | BalramDur                |
|  105 | Uttar Pradesh | I                        |
|  106 | Uttar Pradesh | Chitrakoot               |
|  107 | Uttar Pradesh | FatehDur                 |
|  108 | Uttar Pradesh | ml                       |
|  109 | Uttar Pradesh | Siddharthnagar           |
|  110 | Uttar Pradesh | Sonbhadra                |
|  111 | Uttarakhand   | Udham Singh Nagar        |
|  112 | Uttarakhand   | Haridwar                 |

88##8

## Annexure-II

## ANNEXtJRE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (g) OF STARRED QUESTION No. 41* FOR ANSWER ON 03.12.2025 IN THE LOK SABHA

State-wise, Year wise Distribution of foodgrains (in MT

|                                |            | 2023           | 2023      | 2023        | 2024        | 2024        | 2024       | 2024         | 2025 till date   | 2025 till date   | 2025 till date   | 2025 till date   |
|--------------------------------|------------|----------------|-----------|-------------|-------------|-------------|------------|--------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|
| State/UT                       | [T         | 'heat ! Rice   | 1 grains  | ITotal      | Wheat       | IRice       | brains     | I Total      | 'heat            | Rice             | Coarse ;rains    | Total            |
| ANDAMANAND Ps1:::T:: :         | 5 3 4      | 3 )6 9 7       | w         | 4 )2 3 1    | 5 3 5       | 3 )7 o 1    | [          | 47236        | 137              | 3,024            |                  | 3,461            |
| ::#FDH;i;Ep1::                 | 2 9 72 7   | 17 ) 17 )3 3 1 | 17 ?o o 5 | ] 7 )379063 | =           | 173159489   | b817342    | )767         |                  | 14,39,633        | b8,865           | 1 14,58,497      |
| t 1:ir::StH A L                | =          | 5 0 ) 19 0     | =         | 5 0 ) 1 9 0 | =           | 5 1) 7A 83  | [          | 5 19783      |                  | 42,442           |                  | 42,442           |
| ASSAM                          |            | 11,99,564      | E-        | 11,99,564   | 1-          | F 14,90,491 | F          | 14,90,491    |                  | 13,25,586        |                  | 13,25,586        |
| BIHAR                          | 10,41,220  | 41,73,458      | -         | 152,14,677  | F 10,87,100 | 1 39,41,498 | F          | 150,28,598   | 9,98,939         | 3 i,88,017       |                  | 41 ,86,955       |
| CHHATTISGARH                   | -          | 13,38,063      | -         | 13,38,063   | -           | 13,41,737   | [          | 13 ,41,737   | -5               | 1 1 ,22,263      |                  | 1 1 ,22,308      |
| DADAR & = b:tRA NHII:I : Ful 1 | 1 ) 4 8 8  | 14 ) 3 9 3     | =         | 15 ) 8 8 1  | 1 ) 5 7 315 | ) 236       | [          | 169810       | 1 ,303           | 12,600           |                  | 13,903           |
| JJrIJJ_,111                    | 2,85,196   | 11,88,276      | 1-        | 14,73,472   | 3 ,17,261   | 1 2 ,11,136 | P          | 5 ,28,397    | 12,69,269        | 1 ,79,034        |                  | 4,48,302         |
| GOA                            | Fo         | 129,690        | -         | 1 29,690    | F o         | 29,193      | P          | 1 29,193     | 0                | 23,705           |                  | 23,705           |
| GUJARAT                        | I-9,12,015 | 11,66,874      | 156,788   | 21,35,677   | 19,55,869   | 110,83,571  | l1,51,579  | 21,91,020    | 18,19,117        | 8,26,608         | ;9,140           | 17,34,865        |
| HARYANA                        | 7,28,445   | !-             | 141,037   | 1 7,69,482  | 7 ,01,301   | -           | b , 44,817 | 1 10 ,46,118 | 16,67,o 1 o      |                  | 1,17,422         | 18,84,432        |

| HIMACHAL PRADESH   | 1 ,08,360   | 89,195      |          | 1 ,97,555   | 1 ,02,997   | 77,725    |          | 1 ,80,722   | 18 1 ,969   | 60,969     |          | 1 ,42,938   |
|--------------------|-------------|-------------|----------|-------------|-------------|-----------|----------|-------------|-------------|------------|----------|-------------|
| JAMMU AND KASHMIR  | 1,13,901    | 3,05,019    |          | 4, 18,920   | 1, 1 6,663  | 3,08,427  |          | 4,25,090    | l99,746     | 2,59,046   |          | 3,58,792    |
| JHARKHAND          | 3, 16,302   | 13,09,299   |          | 16,25,601   | 3,54,643    | 12,82,283 |          | 16,36,927   | 3,01 ,893   | 10,64,384  |          | 13,66,277   |
| KARNATAKA          |             | 20,81 ,372  | 4,12,564 | 24,93,936   |             | 20,96,229 | F,01,286 | 24,97,515   |             | 16, 16,089 | F,67,639 | 20,83,728   |
| KERALA             | 1 ,62,574   | 8, 16,596   | 487      | 9,79,657    | 1 ,77,047   | 8, 19,771 | 11 6     | 9,96,834    | 1 ,41 ,653  | 6,57,906   |          | 7,99,558    |
| LADAKH             | l4,3 17     | 3,486       |          | 7,803       | 4,290       | 3,462     |          | 7,752       | 13,483      | 2,833      |          | 6,316       |
| LAKSHADWEEP        |             | 611         |          | 611         |             | 1,325     |          | 1,325       |             | 1 , 138    |          | 1,138       |
| MADHYA PRADESH     | 1 2,72,253  | 19,31,154   | 2,814    | 32,06,221   | 15,08,165   | 18,38,784 |          | 33 ,46,949  | 13,97,705   | 13,36,206  | ;40      | 27,34,751   |
| MAHARASHTA         | 14,29,955   | 125,75,273  | 16,732   | 40,21 ,960  | 15,05,662   | 26,09,003 | 1,265    | 41 ,75,930  | 12,66,968   | 22,08,836  | 14,972   | 35,50,776   |
| MANIPUR            |             | 127,919     |          | 27,9 19     |             |           |          |             |             |            |          |             |
| MEGHALAYA          |             | 1 ,24,324   |          | 1 ,24,324   |             | 1 ,26,222 |          | 1 ,26,222   |             | 1 ,04,471  |          | 1 ,04,471   |
| MIZORAM            |             | 46,379      |          | 46,379      |             | 46,687    |          | 46,687      |             | 38, 162    |          | 38, 162     |
| NAGALAN D          |             | 71 ,297     |          | 71 ,297     |             | 72,084    |          | 72,084      |             | 59,740     |          | 59,740      |
| ODISHA             | 15          | 22, 1 8,705 |          | 22, 18,710  | 1.710       | 22,22,057 |          | 22,23,767   | 13,450      | 18,37,974  |          | 18,41 ,424  |
| PUNJAB             |             |             |          |             |             |           |          |             |             |            |          |             |

|              | 6,37,593    |             |          | 6,37,593     | 1 8,77,366   | 1 -          | F          | 1 8,77,366   | 16,57,068    |              |           | 6,57,068    |
|--------------|-------------|-------------|----------|--------------|--------------|--------------|------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|-----------|-------------|
| RAJASTHAN    | l26,07,589  |             |          | 26,07,589    | 1 25,65,551  | l-           | L          | 1 25,65,551  | 120,76,672   |              |           | 20,76,672   |
| SIKKIM       |             | 17,577      | 1-       | 1 17,577     | 1-           | 119,770      | P          | 119,770      | 1-           | 1 14,125     |           | 14,125      |
| TAMILNADU    | 53,826      | 23,12,809   | 4,307    | 23,70,942    | 61,511       | 22 ,74,984   | P,837      | 23 , 39,331  | 56 ,089      | 18, 90,091   | F,373     | 19,48,553   |
| TELANGANA    |             | 12,07,709   | 1-       | 1 12,07,709  | 1-           | 1 12,25,778  | P          | 1 12,25,778  | 10           | 1 10,46,500  |           | 10,46,500   |
| TRIPUM       | -           | 1,60,174    | -        | 1,60,174     | -            | 1,61,241     | F          | 1, 61,241    | -            | 1, 32,463    |           | 1 ,32,463   |
| UTTARPRADESH | 37,96,600   | 56,48,851   | 3,342    | 94,48,792    | 37,01,339    | 53 ,51,166   | F, 71,394  | 1 94 ,23,899 | 31,39,278    | 42 ,91,460   | 1, 64,280 | 75,95,019   |
| UTTAR4KHAND  | 1,25,397    | 2,OO,901    | -        | 3,26,298     | 1,41,027     | 2 ,29,360    | P          | 3 ,70,387    | 1, 16,278    | 1,86 ,940    | P,461     | 3,05,679    |
| WESTBENGAL   | 15,40,228   | 23,10,641   | -        | 38,50,869    | 1 5,51,516   | 23 ,28,144   | F          | 38 ,79,660   | 12,99,814    | 19 , 50,501  |           | 32,50,3 15  |
| Grand Total  | 1,51,40,525 | 3,33,40,829 | s,55,077 | 4 ,90,36,431 | 1, 57,33,126 | 3, 29,78,337 | 13 ,60,473 | 5,oo ,71,936 | 1,33, 98,186 | 2,69 ,22,745 | ho,37,991 | 4,13,58,922 |

Note: Distribution data for year 2025 is till  Oct 2025 & Manipur  state is not reporting  distribution  data from  May, 2023

Se geRt

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (h) OF STARRED QUESTION No. 41* FOR ANSWER ON 03.12.2025 IN THE LOK SABHA

## State wise and Year  Wise PMGKAY Beneficiaries:

| S.No.   | State Name              | 2023          | 2024          | 2025 ( as on date   |
|---------|-------------------------|---------------|---------------|---------------------|
| 1       | A INICOBARISLANDS       | 6 1,660       | 59,374        | 6 1,275             |
| 2       | EANDHRAPRADESH          | 2,68,97,569   | 2,68,30,680   | 2,68,23,200         |
| 3       | IARUNACHAL PRADESH      | 8,83,237      | 8,83,191      | 8,83, 172           |
|         | ASSAM                   | 2,29,02,389   | 2,3 1 ,58,866 | 2,47,94,442         |
| 5       | IBIHAR                  | 8,78,80,3 14  | 8,38,00,818   | 8,56,28,689         |
| 6       | CHANDIGARH              | 3,23,354      | 3,55,674      | 3,55,348            |
| 7       | ICHHATTISGARH           | 2,00,00,746   | 1,99,2 1,016  | 1,98,78,55 1        |
| 8       | D IHAVELI & DAMAN & DIU | 2,68,463      | 2,72,704      | 2,65, 135           |
| 9       | FDELH I                 | 72,81,586     | 72,77,742     | 72,77,8 ][0         |
| 10      | IGOA                    | 4,85,754      | 4,79,079      | 4,75,594            |
| 11      | IGUJA RAT               | 3,72,50,062   | 3,83,90,798   | 3,48,83,97 1        |
| 12      | HARYANA                 | 1,78,66, 188  | 2,01 , 17,555 | 1958988l826         |
| 13      | HIMACHAL PRADESH        | 53, 16,749    | 29, 16,512    | 28,50,806           |
| 14      | !JAMMU AND KASHMIR      | 66,47,484     | 66,53,230     | 67,35,202           |
| 15      | iJHARKH AND             | 2,64,85,330   | 2,63,99,419   | 2,5 1,94,252        |
| 16      | IKARNATAKA              | 4,04,21 ,534  | 4,0 1 ,93,000 | 4,0 1 ,93,208       |
| 17      | IKERALA                 | 1 ,52,26,706  | 1,50,61 ,242  | 1,47,6 1, 132       |
| 18      | ILADAKH                 | 1 ,24,885     | 1 ,23,239     | 1 ,14,543           |
| 19      | LAKSHADWEEP             | 23,456        | 23,787        | 239720              |
| 20      | MADHYA PRADESH          | 5,26,52,028   | 5,54, 18,818  | 5,34,00,925         |
| 21      | IMAHARASHTRA            | 6,65,71 ,685  | 6,84,32, 163  | 6,84, 1 8, 145      |
| 22      | IMANIPUR                | 20,52,296     | 20,92,507     | 2191 1>328          |
| 23      | MEGHALAYA               | 21,14,904     | 2 1, 16,248   | 21, 16> 184         |
| l24     | IMIZORAM                | 6,96,507      | 6,96,396      | 7,07,336            |
| [25     | INAGA LAND              | 11,64,722     | 12,24,649     | 11,62,808           |
| 126     | ODISHA                  | 3,25,02, 1 04 | 3,23,92,303   | 2,34,79,6 16        |
| 127     | PUDUCHERRY              | 6,84,590      | 6,99,046      | 7,01 ,070           |
| 28      | LPUNJAB                 | 1 ,46,43,697  | 1,59,45,5 16  | 1 ,53,58,402        |

###88

|       | RAJASTHAN    | 4,37,84,306   | 4,36,96,914   | 4,44,53,189   |
|-------|--------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
|       | SIKKIM       | 3,81 ,502     | 3,83,502      | 3,77,248      |
|       | AMIL NADU    | 3,65,07,636   | 3,60,35,078   | 3,65, 19,481  |
|       | ELANGANA     | 1 ,91 ,75,502 | 1 ,92,27,039  | 1,9 1,99,5 75 |
|       | RIPURA       | 24,42,730     | 24,35, 165    | 23,47,440     |
|       | UTrARAKHAND  | 60,73,150     | 60,79, 1 77   | 60,53,44 ]    |
|       | UHAR PRADESH | 15,04,20,384  | 14,87,91 ,087 | 14,71 ,83,826 |
|       | WESTBENGAL   | 5,99,62,436   | 6,02,04,95    | 5,99, 12,883  |
| Total | Total        | 80,81,79.668  | 80,87,90,509  | 79,05,93,7'98 |