Lok Sabha Question No. 3058 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: NFSA and PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3058 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11'rH MARCH, 2026

## NFS A AND PDS

3058. SHRI CN ANNADURAI: SHRI SELVAM G: SHRI NAVASKANI K:

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

(a): whether the  Government has assessed the  extent to  which homeless persons in  Tamil Nadu are able to access food security benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFS A)  and the Public Distribution  System (PDS) and if  so, the details thereof;

(b): whether the absence of ration cards, proof of residence or portability  barriers is resulting in exclusion of homeless and migrant populations from PDS coverage in major urban centres of the State and if  so, the details thereof;

- (c): whether any mechanism exists to  identify  and enroll  homeless individuals  under special or temporary categories to ensure regular access to subsidised foodgrains;

(d): if  so, the number of homeless beneficiaries, if  any, who  have been provided  PDS coverage in Tamil Nadu during the last three years; and

(e): the corrective steps being taken by  the Government to  extend PDS benefits to homeless and destitute persons through simplified  identification, community kitchens or special distribution mechanisms to prevent  hunger and food insecurity in the State?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA )

(a) to  (e):  The Targeted Public  Distribution  System (TPDS) is now governed as per provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFS A).  TPDS is operated under joint  responsibility of the Central and the  State Governments wherein the responsibility for  identification  of beneficiaries within  the coverage determined for  the  State/UT and issuance of  their  ration cards rest with  the concerned States/UTs.

The Government of Tamil  Nadu has reported following special measures taken with  regard to coverage of homeless persons:

- (i) list of homeless people is obtained from the concerned Department in order to issue new family cards.
- (ii)  Special camps are conducted,  on need basis, for families  who have not yet taken Aadhaar cardl.
- (iii)  Such families  are facilitated  to get Aadhaar number. based on which family  cards are issued.
- (iv)  Special drive was undertaken to  identify  the homeiess and destitute persons who  are living  in the streets/platforms through the field  officials.
- (v)  91 new  Family  cards were issued to homeless people.
- (vi) Ration card  Inter-State Portability under  One  Nation One  Ration card  scheme  (ONOR\_C scheme) is operational since October 2020 in Tamil Nadu.
- (vii)  Community Kitchens named 'Anna Unavagam' are operated in  Tamil  Nadu to provide cooked food at much cheaper price to under privileged  &  economically weaker section of society.
- (viii)  Community Kitchens run by Women Self Help Groups provide cooked food to all poor people without  seeking any identification.

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