Lok Sabha Question No. 3674 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-11
Subject: Implementation of PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER, ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL, Shrirang Appa Barne, DHARMENDRA YADAV, BAHADUR SINGH KOLI, NANDI YELLAIAH, C.R. CHAUDHARY, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU, V. SATHYABAMA, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, A.T. (NANA) PATIL, KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN, RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA, INNOCENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3674

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  AUGUST, 2015

## IMPLEMENTATION OF PDS

3674. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRI BAHADUR SINGH KOLI:

SHRI NANDI YELLAIAH:

SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI P.K. BIJU:

SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN:

SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

SHRI INNOCENT:

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 implementation of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) has been adversely affected due to lack of coordination between the  Union  and  State  Governments  and  irregularities  in  the  system,  if  so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken in this regard;
- (b) whether  a  nine  point  action  plan  has  been  prepared  to  eliminate ghost ration cards, reduce leakages and bring greater transparency in the conduct of TPDS operations, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the nine point action plan has failed to achieve the desired results, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  achieve  success  under  the aforesaid nine point action plan;

- (e) whether a rejuvenated approach has been adopted for TPDS during the Twelfth Plan Period, if so, the details and the outcome thereof along with the success achieved therein; and
- (f) the extent of IT/computerisation adopted in the PDS along with the benefits accruing therefrom?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM  VILAS PASWAN)

- (a)  to  (d):  Under  the  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System  (TPDS),  the Central Government  is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of Food Corporation  of  India.  The  operational  responsibilities  for  lifting  and distributing the allocated foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible beneficiaries, issuance of ration cards to them and supervision over  distribution  of  allocated  foodgrains  to  eligible  cardholders  through Fair Price Shops (FPSs) are that of State/UT Governments.

TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of Central and State/UT  Governments  wherein  close  coordination  is  maintained  for  its smooth implementation. Consultations are regularly held with States/UTs before implementing various legislative/policy measures, preparing schemes for strengthening of TPDS, etc. Central Government also issues periodic advisories and holds meetings, conferences, etc. with States/UTs from  time  to  time  regarding  issues  relating  to  implementation  of  TPDS such as correct identification of beneficiaries, leakage free distribution of foodgrains, transparency in TPDS operations, etc.

Under the joint responsibility, complaints/irregularities in implementation  of  TPDS  in  various  region  of  the  country  as  and  when received  in  this  Department  are  referred  to  the  concerned  State/UT Government for inquiry and appropriate action.

A Nine Point Action Plan for curbing the leakages/diversion of foodgrains under TPDS was evolved in July, 2006 in consultation with the State/UT Governments. Government has been regularly monitoring the action being taken  by  States/UTs  including  issuing  advisories,  holding  conferences etc. wherein State/UT Governments are requested to implement the Nine Point Action Plan.

Point-wise and State/UT-wise details of the action taken under the Nine Point Action Plan as reported by the States/UTs upto 31.12.2014 are at Annex - I and II respectively.

(e)  &  (f):  With  a  view  to  modernise  the  system  and  plug  leakages,  the Government has initiated a Plan scheme on End-to-end Computerisation of  TPDS  Operations  during  the  12 th   Five  Year  Plan  (2012-17)  on  cost sharing basis with States/UTs which would facilitate digitization of ration cards/beneficiary  and  other  databases,  computerization  of  supply-chain management, setting up of transparency portals and grievances redressal mechanism.  Based on the reports received from States/UTs and NIC, the activity-wise progress in States/UTs is at Annex -III. Action has also been initiated  for  implementation  of  Fair  Price  Shop  (FPS)  automation.  FPS automation involves, installation of Point of Sale (PoS) devices at FPS for authentication of beneficiaries, recording of sales to beneficiaries at the FPS; and uploading of transaction data in central server.

To further strengthen the efforts to address the food security of the people, Government of India has notified the National Food Security Act, 2013  on  10.09.2013.  The  Act  inter-alia  contains  provisions  for  right  to receive foodgrains at subsidised prices by persons belonging to eligible households under TPDS. The Act further provides for various reforms in TPDS,  to  be  undertaken  progressively  by  the  Central  and  State/UT Governments.  These  reforms  inter  alia  include  door-step  delivery  of foodgrains  at  the  FPS,  application  of  information  and  communication technology  tools  including  end  to  end  computerisation,  preference  to public institutions/bodies in licensing of FPSs, etc.

****

## ANNEX REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (f) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3674 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 11.08.2015 IN THE LOK SABHA

Details of the action taken by States/UTs as reported upto 30.12.2014 under the Nine Point Action Plan.

|   1 | States should undertake a campaign to review BPL/AAY list to eliminate ghost ration cards                                                                                 | As per reports received from the State & UT Governments by 31 st December, 2014, implementation of the action plan has resulted in elimination of a total of 494.34 lakh bogus/ ineligible ration cards in 30 States.                                                             |
|-----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   2 | Strict action should be taken against the guilty to ensure leakage free distribution of food grains                                                                       | 33 States have reported that action is being taken against the guilty to ensure leakage free distribution of food grains.                                                                                                                                                         |
|   3 | For sake of transparency, involvement of elected PRI members in distribution of food grains be ensured. FPS licenses be given to SHGs, gram panchayats, cooperatives etc. | There is involvement of PRIs in Vigilance Committees to monitor FPS in 29 States/UTs. 31 States/UTs have reported FPS being run by Gram Panchayats, SHGs, and Cooperatives etc. Out of about 5.17 lakh FPS in operation, about 1.36 lakh FPS are being run by such organisations. |
|   4 | Display of BPL and AAY lists by fair price shops                                                                                                                          | BPL lists at FPS are displayed in 32 States/UTs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|   5 | Display of fair price shop-wise and district-wise allocations of PDS commodities on web-sites for public scrutiny                                                         | Action regarding putting up district-wise and FPS- wise allocation of food grains on websites and other prominent places has been initiated in 22 States/UTs.                                                                                                                     |
|   6 | Door-step delivery of PDS commodities to fair price shops                                                                                                                 | Door-step delivery of food grains to FPS by State Governments instead of letting private transporters to transport goods is being done in 21 States/UTs. This reduces leakages during the transportation of foodgrains and ensures viability of FPS owners.                       |
|   7 | Ensuring timely availability of foodgrains at FPS and distribution of foodgrains by FPS                                                                                   | Action is being taken by 32 States in this regard.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|   8 | Training of Vigilance Committee members                                                                                                                                   | 27 State/UT Governments have taken up training programmes for FPS level Vigilance Committees. Funds are also being provided by Government of India under a Plan Scheme for training of TPDS officers/ officials.                                                                  |
|   9 | Computerization of TPDS operations, use of IT etc.                                                                                                                        | Computerisation of TPDS has been taken up across the country. For this purpose, action plans have been finalized by all States/UTs. Government is also providing technical and financial assistance under a Plan Scheme on End-to-end Computerisation of TPDS Operations.         |

## Implementation of Nine-Point Action Plan - results thereof from July, 2006 to onwards State-wise and all India

| Sl. No.   | Name of the State/UT   | Review of BPL / AAY list   | Ensure leakage free distribution of foodgrains by taking action against guilty   | Involvem ent of PRI member s   | Display of BPL/AA Y list on the FPS   | Distt . & FPSwise allocation of foodgrains put on website as public scrutiny   | Door step delivery of foodgra ins   | Timely availabi lity of foodgra ins at FPS   | (as on Training of members of FPS level Vigilance Committe e   | 31.12.2014) Steps taken towards Comput erization of TPDS operatio ns   |
|-----------|------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|           |                        | 1                          | 2                                                                                | 3                              | 4                                     | 5                                                                              | 6                                   | 7                                            | 8                                                              | 9                                                                      |
| 1         | Andhra Pradesh^        | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 2         | Arunachal Pradesh      | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | No*                                 | -                                            | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 3         | Assam                  | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | -                                                                              | -                                   | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 4         | Bihar                  | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 5         | Chhattisgarh           | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 6         | Delhi                  | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 7         | Goa                    | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | -                              | Yes                                   | -                                                                              | -                                   | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 8         | Gujarat                | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 9         | Haryana                | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | -                                                                              | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 10        | Himachal Pradesh       | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | No                                  | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 11        | Jammu & Kashmir        | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | -                                                                              | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 12        | Jharkhand              | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | -                              | -                                     | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | -                                            | -                                                              | Yes                                                                    |
| 13        | Karnataka              | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | No                                  | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 14        | Kerala                 | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 15        | Madhya Pradesh         | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | -                                                              | Yes                                                                    |
| 16        | Maharashtra            | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | -                                                                              | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 17        | Manipur                | -                          | -                                                                                | -                              | -                                     | -                                                                              | -                                   | -                                            | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 18        | Meghalaya              | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | -                              | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | -                                   | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 19        | Mizoram                | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | -                                                                              | No*                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 20        | Nagaland               | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | -                                                                              | No*                                 | Yes                                          | -                                                              | Yes                                                                    |
| 21        | Odisha                 | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 22        | Punjab                 | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 23        | Rajasthan              | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 24        | Sikkim                 | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | -                                                                              | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 25        | Tamil Nadu             | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 26        | Tripura                | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | -                                                                              | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 27        | Uttar Pradesh          | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 28        | Uttarakhand            | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | No*                                 | Yes                                          | -                                                              | Yes                                                                    |
| 29        | West Bengal            | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 30        | A&N Islands            | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | -                                     | -                                                                              | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | -                                                              | Yes                                                                    |
| 31        | Chandigarh             | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | -                                                                              | -                                   | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 32        | D&N Haveli             | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | -                                   | Yes                                          | -                                                              | Yes                                                                    |
| 33        | Daman & Diu            | -                          | -                                                                                | -                              | Yes                                   | -                                                                              | -                                   | Yes                                          | -                                                              | Yes                                                                    |
| 34        | Lakshadweep            | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | Yes                            | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | No*                                 | Yes                                          | Yes                                                            | Yes                                                                    |
| 35        | Puducherry             | Yes                        | Yes                                                                              | -                              | Yes                                   | Yes                                                                            | Yes                                 | Yes                                          | -                                                              | Yes                                                                    |
|           | Total                  | 33                         | 33                                                                               | 29                             | 32                                    |                                                                                | 21                                  | 32                                           | 27                                                             | 35                                                                     |
|           |                        |                            |                                                                                  |                                |                                       | 22                                                                             |                                     |                                              |                                                                |                                                                        |

Legend:

Yes - Under implementation.

( - ) - No action reported.

* -     Not practical

^ including State of Telangana. Separate information in respect of States of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana is awaited.

## Annex-III

## ANNEX REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (f) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3674 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 11.08.2015 IN THE LOK SABHA

## Status of End-to-End Computerization of TPDS Operations

(as on 30.06.2015)

| S.N.   | States/UTs               | Ration Card Data Digitization *   | Online Allocation        | Supply- Chain Management   | Transparency Portal   | Online Grievance         | Toll- Free Number   |
|--------|--------------------------|-----------------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------|---------------------|
| 1      | Andaman &Nicobar Islands | 100%                              | Partial (South Andaman)  | In Progress                | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 2      | Andhra Pradesh           | 100%                              | Implemented              | 11 districts               | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 3      | Arunachal Pradesh        | 76%                               | Few locations            | -                          | Yes                   | -                        | Yes                 |
| 4      | Assam                    | 100%                              | Trial run in 4 districts | -                          | -                     | Trial run in 4 districts | Yes                 |
| 5      | Bihar                    | 100%                              | Implemented              | Implemented                | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 6      | Chandigarh               | 100%                              | Not operational          | -                          | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 7      | Chhattisgarh             | 100%                              | Implemented              | Implemented                | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 8      | Dadra and Nagar Haveli   | 100%                              | -                        | -                          | Yes                   | -                        | Yes                 |
| 9      | Daman and Diu            | 100%                              | -                        | -                          | Yes                   | -                        | -                   |
| 10     | Delhi                    | 100%                              | Implemented              | Implemented                | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 11     | Goa                      | 96%                               | Implemented              | Implemented                | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 12     | Gujarat                  | 100%                              | Implemented              | In Progress                | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 13     | Haryana                  | 100%                              | Only 4 blocks            | -                          | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 14     | Himachal Pradesh         | 100%                              | -                        | -                          | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 15     | Jammu and Kashmir        | 98%                               | In progress              |                            | -                     | -                        | Yes                 |
| 16     | Jharkhand                | 100%                              | 3 Districts              |                            | Yes                   | Yes                      | -                   |
| 17     | Karnataka                | 100%                              | Implemented              | Implemented                | Yes                   | -                        | Yes                 |
| 18     | Kerala                   | 100%                              | -                        | -                          | Yes                   | -                        | Yes                 |
| 19     | Lakshadweep              | 100%                              | -                        | -                          | -                     | -                        | -                   |
| 20     | Madhya Pradesh           | 100%                              | Implemented              | In progress                | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 21     | Maharashtra              | 100%                              | Implemented              | 2 districts                | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 22     | Manipur                  | 92%                               | -                        | -                          | -                     | -                        | Yes                 |
| 23     | Meghalaya                | -                                 | -                        | -                          | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 24     | Mizoram                  | 100%                              | In Progress              | -                          | -                     | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 25     | Nagaland                 | 73%                               | In Progress              | -                          | Yes                   | -                        | Yes                 |
| 26     | Odisha                   | 96%                               | Implemented              | Partially                  | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 27     | Puducherry               | 100%                              | 2 divisions              | 2 divisions                | Yes                   | Yes                      | -                   |
| 28     | Punjab                   | 79%                               | -                        | -                          | -                     | -                        | -                   |
| 29     | Rajasthan                | 97%                               | -                        | -                          | -                     | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 30     | Sikkim                   | 100%                              | -                        | -                          | Yes                   | -                        | Yes                 |
| 31     | Tamil Nadu               | 100%                              | Implemented              | Implemented                | -                     | -                        | -                   |
| 32     | Telangana                | 100%                              | Implemented              | In progress                | -                     | -                        | Yes                 |
| 33     | Tripura                  | 100%                              | -                        | -                          | -                     | -                        | -                   |
| 34     | Uttarakhand              | 84%                               | -                        | -                          | Yes                   | -                        | -                   |
| 35     | Uttar Pradesh            | 74%                               | -                        | -                          | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
| 36     | West Bengal              | 86%                               | Implemented              | In progress                | Yes                   | Yes                      | Yes                 |
|        | Completion Status        | 24                                | 13                       | 6                          | 26                    | 21                       | 28                  |