(a) whether the Government propose to extend the benefits of the revamped Public Distribution System to various States, particularly to hilly and desert areas;
(b) if so, the details of the proposed scheme, particularly in the context of Rajasthan; and
(c) the details of items of PDS allocated under this scheme by the Union Government to
Rajasthan during the last three years?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a) No, Sir. With the introduction of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in
June, 1997 which covers `poor in all areas`, the Revamped Public Distribution System with
its emphasis on ` all in poor areas` became redundant. The Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS), under which foodgrains to 1775 identified blocks in the country were issued at 50 paise
per kilogram below the normal Central Issue Prices has ceased to exist.
(b) & (c) : Do not arise.