Lok Sabha Question No. 1185 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-28
Subject: Implementation of NFSA
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1185 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH   JULY, 2015

## IMPLEMENTATION OF NFSA

1185. SHRI SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL:

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  the  quantity  of  foodgrains  being  supplied  under  the  Food Security Act (FSA) for each person is as per their entitlement in all the States/regions of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor indicating the  entitlement,  allocation  and  actual  distribution  of  foodgrains  during each of the last three months and the current month, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  complaints/reports  of alleged irregularities including distribution/supply of foodgrains less than the entitlements of poor families and if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise; and
- (d) the  corrective  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## A N S W E R MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM  VILAS PASWAN)

(a)&(b)   Based on the preparedness and identification of beneficiaries reported  by  13  States/Union  Territories  (UTs)  under  National  Food Security  Act  (NFSA),  Government  of  India  is  making  allocation  of foodgrains  to  these  13  States/UTs  @  5  kg  per  person  per  month  for priority  category  and  @  35kg  per  family  per  month  for  Antyodaya  Anna Yojana (AAY) category  as per their entitlement under the Act.

(c)&(d):        There  have  been  complaints  about  irregularities  in  the functioning of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) including supply of lower quantity, diversion of foodgrains, etc. in some States/regions  in  the  country.      TPDS  is  operated  under  the  joint responsibility  of  the  Central  and  State/UT  Governments  wherein  the operational  responsibilities  for  its  implementation  within  the  State/UT rest with the concerned State/UT Governments. Therefore, as and when complaints are received by the Government  from  individuals and organizations as well as through press reports, these are referred to the State/UT Governments concerned for inquiry and appropriate action. To improve  functioning  of  TPDS,  Government  has  been  regularly  issuing advisories  and  holding  meetings,  conferences,  etc.  wherein  State/UT Governments are requested for review of lists of beneficiaries, improving the offtake of allocated foodgrains, ensuring  timely  availability of foodgrains at Fair Price shops (FPSs), greater transparency in functioning  of  TPDS,  increased  monitoring  and  vigilance  at  various levels, improving the viability of FPS operations, etc.

With  a  view  to  check  irregularities  in  the  TPDS,  Government  has also  initiated  a  plan  scheme  on  'End-to-end  Computerization  of  TPDS Operations'  on  cost  sharing  basis  with  the  States/UTs,  which  involves digitization of ration cards/beneficiary and other data bases, computerization of supply chain management, setting up of transparency portals, FPS automation etc.

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