(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce Public Distribution System (PDS) in agency areas exclusively for the economically weak tribals;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and;
(c) the details of requests received for allocation of foodgrains from such areas pending with the Government?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a)to(b): Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), focused on the poor, aims at
distributing subsidized foodgrains to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in all rural as well
as urban areas in the country.
Antyodya Anna Yojana (AAY), as a sub set of TPDS covers the poorest families among BPL
category in all rural areas and urban areas. AAY was launched in December, 2000 and there
have been three expansions since then. State/UT Governments have issued 2.43 crore AAY
ration cards. The identification of eligible BPL and AAY families and issuance of ration
cards to them is the responsibility of concerned State/UT Government.
Since tribal families in agency areas as well as other areas are already being covered under
TPDS, there is no proposal to introduce PDS exclusively for poor tribal families.
(c): No such request is pending.