Lok Sabha Question No. 1704 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Functioning of Public Distribution System and Consumer Protection
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1704

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 10TH DECEMBER, 2025

## FUNCTIONING OF PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

## 1704.  DR. MOHAMMAD  JAWED:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken steps to strengthen the Public Distribution  System  (PDS) to  ensure timely  and transparent delivery  of  foodgrains to  beneficiaries across the  country, particularly in Bihar;
- (b) the details of allocation, lifting  and distribution of foodgrains to Bihar under the National Food Security Act (NFS A)  during the last three financial  years;
- (c) whether the Government has received complaints regarding irregularities,  diversion or nondistribution  of PDS commodities and if  so, the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard
- (d) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to enhance consumer  protection mechanisms including  grievance redressal, price  monitoring  and  action  against unfair  trade practices; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to upgrade Fair Price Shops into model FPS with  digital systems, electronic PoS machines and expanded essential services and if  so, the progress made so far?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) : As part of the technology driven Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) reforms, with the  aim  to  improve the  transparency  and  accountability in  the  TPDS,  ration cards/beneficiaries database have been completely digitized  (100%) in  all  States/UTs (including Bihar).  Toll-free helpline number is functional in all States/UTs. Also, online allocation has been implemented in all States/UTs and supply chain has been computerized in 31 States/UTs (except UTs  of  Chandigarh, Puduchemy and Urban  area of  Dadra  &  Nagar Haveli  which  have adopted DBT  Cash Transfer scheme). Further, 99.9% ration  cards are Aadhaar seeded in the country. This has enabled Aadhar based authenticated  distribution  ensuring ration goes to the right person.

- (b): The details of allotment and offtake of  foodgrains under NFS A  to Government of  Bihar for last three financial  years is at Annexure-I. The details of distribution  of foodgrains under NFS A  to Government of Bihar for  last three financial  years is at Annexure-II.
- (c): 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.  Central Government is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains  upto  the  designated  depots  of  the  Food  Corporation of  India  (FCI).  The  operational responsibilities for  allocation of  foodgrains within  the States/ UTs, identification of  eligible beneficiaries,  issuance of ration cards to them, distribution of foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries under TPDS, issuance of  license to  Fair  Price Shop dealers, supervision over and monitoring  of functioning ofFPSs  etc, rest with the concerned State/ UT  Governments.

Helpline number (1967/1800-State series) is operational in all the States/ UTs for contacting and redressal of  the complaints in Public Distribution  System  and filing  any type of  complaints by the  intended beneficiaries. As  and when complaints are received in  this  Department from  any source, they are promptly  sent to  State/ UT  Governments concerned for  inquiry  and appropriate actIon

An  offence committed in  violation  of  the provisions of  TPDS (Control)  Order, 2015 is liable  for  penal action under the Essential Commodities Act,  1955. Thus, the Order empowers State/UT Governments to take punitive action in  case of  contravention of relevant provisions of these Orders.

- (d): The  Government has taken  several steps to  strengthen consumer protection,  enhance transparency, and ensure quick  and effective grievance redressal in the Public Distribution  System. Major initiatives include:
- Strengthened Grievance Redressal Systems 1.
- o Universal availability of  1967/1800-series toll-free helplines across all States/UTs.
- o Introduction of Anna Sahayata, an advanced Al-enabled WhatsApp and IVRS-based grievance redressal system, allowing  beneficiaries to lodge complaints in their own language.
- o Mera Ration  Mobile  App,  which  enables beneficiaries to  check their  entitlements, member and demographic details, last  month's  distribution  status, nearby FPS location, and to lodge grievances directly through the app.
- Enhanced Monitoring through CPGRAMS 2.
- , States/UTs and all concerned organisations have been sensitised  to strictly  adhere to the 21-day timeline for  grievance  disposal prescribed under CPGRAMS.
- , Pendency  of grievances is monitored regularly through CPGRAMS dashboards.
- o Monthly advisories  are  issued to  States to  promote  uniform and timely grievance resolution
- o States/UTs with high pendency levels are specifically  flagged for corrective action.
- Capacity Building & Oversight 3
- o Regular trainings, workshops, and video conferences are conducted with  States/UTs to improve the efficiency  of grievance  handling systems.
- o The Department ensures strict implementation of the Standard  Operating Procedure (SOP) for grievance redressal, ensuring accountability and timely  resolution.

These steps collectively strengthen consumer protection,  improve  transparency, deter unfair trade practices, and help ensure that all  beneficiaries receive their rightful  foodgrain entitlements in a timely and transparent  manner.

- (e): For better tracking of foodgrains distribution, nearly 5.50 Lakh (99.89/,) out of total 5.51 Lakh  Fair Price Shops (FPSs) in  the country have been automated by installing  ePoS devices for the distribution  of  foodgrains in  a transparent manner (electronically)  through biometric/  Aadhaar authentication of  beneficiaries. Further, all  States/UTs have been advised to  integrate e-weighing scales with the ePoS devices at FPSs.

As  per  sub-clause (9)  of  Clause 9  of  the  Targeted Public  Distribution  System (TPDS) Control Order, 2015, the State Government shall allow sale of  commodities other than the foodgrains distributed under the TPDS at the Fair Price Shop to  improve the viability  of the fair price shop operations.

aSesc +( SeSe

## Annexure-I

(  Figs. In '000'  MTs ) (PROVISIONAL)

## I ALLOTMENT AND OFFTAKE OF FOODGRAINS FOR BIHAR UNDER NFSA COMIIVIODITY:

WHEAT

|                                     | N FSA     | N FSA    | PM G KAY   | PM G KAY   |
|-------------------------------------|-----------|----------|------------|------------|
|                                     | ALLOTMENT |          | ALLOTMENT  | OFFTAKE    |
| 2022-23                             | 1223.61   | 1202.38  | 174.23     | 193.75     |
| 2023-24                             | 1086.75   | 1044.43  |            |            |
| 1335.09 2024-25                     |           | 11 73.89 |            |            |
| 2025-26 (offtake upto October 2025) | 1342.39   | 577.25   |            |            |

## COMMODITY

RICE

|                                     | N FSA     | N FSA   | PMGKAY    | PMGKAY   |
|-------------------------------------|-----------|---------|-----------|----------|
|                                     | ALLOTMENT | OFFTAKE | ALLOTMENT | OFFTAKE  |
| 2022-23                             | 4220.01   | 4034.97 | 3746      | 3326.67  |
| 2023-24                             | 3927.44   | 3521    |           |          |
| 4121.16 2024-25                     |           | 3559.71 |           |          |
| 2025-26 (offtake upto October 2025) | 4122.65   | 2050.2  |           |          |

## Annexu re-II

(Figs. In '000' MTs )

## Distribution of foodgrains in Bihar state

| Years               |    Wheat | Rice      | Total    |
|---------------------|----------|-----------|----------|
| 2022-23             | 1211.62  | 3990. 152 | 5201.777 |
| 2023-24             | 1039.98  | 4165.832  | 5205.813 |
| 2024-25             | 1238.64  | 3729.057  | 4967.698 |
| 2025-26 (as on date |  673.338 | 2704.771  | 3378. 11 |