(a) whether the Government is aware that the foodgrains being supplied through Public Distribution System (PDS) are of poor quality; and
(b) if so, whether any action has been taken by the Government to check the distribution of poor quality foodgrains through PDS?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH )
(a) & (b): No, Sir. Only good quality foodgrains are supplied to State Governments/UT Administrations for distribution under Public Distribution System (PDS). However, in case of any specific complaint regarding quality of foodgrains being issued to State Governments or distributed through PDS, Food Corporation of India/concerned State Government is asked to investigate the matter and take remedial measures including action against the delinquent(s) apart from ensuring supply of only good quality foodgrains under PDS. The following steps have been taken by the Government to ensure that only good quality foodgrains are distributed under PDS:
1. Ample opportunities are provided to the officials of the State Governments/UT Administrations to inspect the stocks prior to lifting from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns.
2. Instructions have been issued to all the State Governments / UT Administrations that an officer not below the rank of Inspector should be deputed to check the quality of foodgrains before lifting from the FCI godowns.
3. The samples of foodgrains are jointly drawn and sealed by the officers of the State Governments / UT Administrations and the FCI during the issue of stocks from FCI godowns for display at the counters of Fair Price Shops (FPSs).
4. The officers of the State Governments and this Ministry pay surprise checks to the FPSs, to over see the quality of foodgrains being distributed through TPDS.
5. The officers of this Ministry designated as `Area Officers` for monitoring the TPDS work in the respective States/UTs also undertake visits to the storage depots and the FPSs, during their visit to the States/UTs to check the quality of foodgrains being issued.