Question : Ration Card under PMGKAY

(a) whether the Government is aware of the number of vulnerable populace excluded from the Public Distribution System, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government is aware that reliance of 2011 census data to calculate State-wise PDS coverage is outdated and leads to exclusion of crores of beneficiaries;

(c) if so, whether the Government is taking steps to update the database to identify beneficiaries; and

(d) whether the Government has formulated or has plans to formulate, specific steps to address the issue concerning the population without ration cards that have been left out in the second round of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

A N S W E R
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

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(a): Under National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated in joint responsibilities of the Central and State/UT Governments wherein inter-alia the operational responsibilities for identification of eligible beneficiaries/households under the Act as per own criteria, issuance of ration cards and distribution of foodgrains to them from Fair Price Shops (FPSs) etc. lies with the respective State/UT Government. In addition to this, this Department had issued instructions to all States/UTs to cover the weaker and vulnerable sections of the society under NFSA, up to respective NFSA ceiling limit, for food security benefits.

(b): The NFSA at per Census 2011 provides for a maximum coverage of 81.35 Crore persons. Presently, in all States/UTs, a total of about 80 Crore beneficiaries are receiving the NFSA benefits across the country as per the State/UT-wise prevailing coverage. Further, any change in the State/UT-wise coverage limit of beneficiaries depends in the revision of NFSA provisions.

(c): The database of all ration cards under NFSA are created and maintained in the respective State/UT ration card management system (RCMS).


(d): Further, besides the regular subsidized NFSA foodgrains, the benefit of free foodgrains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) is available for all NFSA beneficiaries in the country at present. In addition to this, all concerned States/UTs were advised to cover maximum eligible persons up to the respective NFSA ceiling limits to ensure that maximum eligible beneficiaries get the benefit of both NFSA and PMGKAY foodgrains, as per the coverage limit mandated under the NFSA..

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