Question : FAILURE OF PDS

CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Dubey Shri Nishikant
24-11-2009

(a) whether the Hon`ble Supreme Court has severely indicted the Public Distribution System for diversion/pilferage of foodgrains and poor implementation in different parts of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) the details of the cases of diversion/pilferage of foodgrain reported during each of the last three years and the current year alongwith the quantum and value of foodgrains involved therein; and

(d) the remedial steps including punitive action taken against those held responsible during the said period?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a),(b),(c)&(d): In the course of hearing on Writ Petition 196/2001 on 12.07.2006, Honâ€™ble Supreme Court made certain observations about monitoring of funds spent on Public Distribution System and passed an Order setting up Central Vigilance Committee (CVC) to study functioning of TPDS in the country. The CVC is carrying out the study.

For various malpractices detected under TPDS, the details of persons prosecuted under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (E.C. Act, 1955) and the persons detained under the Prevention of Black-Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 (PBM Act, 1980) during 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are as under:

S.No.	Year	Persons prosecuted	Persons detained under	under EC Act, 1955	PBM Act, 1980
1.	2006	3244	161
2.	2007	4872	119
3.	2008	6425	162
4.	2009	2982	126	(upto 31.10.2009)

To improve functioning of TPDS, Government has directed State & UT Governments to take up the following measures:

A. to strengthen monitoring and vigilance by-

i) implementation of the Nine Point Action Plan;

ii) taking action against those with Bogus Ration Cards; and

iii) ensuring greater involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)/Urban Local Bodies in functioning of Fair Price Shops.

B. to ensure increased transparency in functioning of TPDS by-

i) adoption and implementation of revised Model Citizensâ€™ Charter;

ii) introduction of monthly certification of delivery of foodgrains at Fair Price Shops and their distribution to ration card holders:

iii) taking up publicity-cum-awareness Campaign on TPDS; and

iv) display of allocation of foodgrains â€“ district and FPS wise on websites for public scrutiny.

C. to use ICT tools such as â€“

i) computerisation of TPDS Operations;

ii) pilot scheme on Smart Card based Operations in Haryana and Chandigarh;

iii) piloting of new technologies for tracking movement of vehicles transporting TPDS Commodities, and

D. to improve efficiency of FPS operations through-

i) doorstep delivery of foodgrains;

ii) ensuring timely availability of foodgrains;

iii) distribution of wheat flour/fortified wheat flour under TPDS;

iv) allotment of Fair Price Shops to Institutions and Groups;

v) sale of non-PDS items by FPS licensees, and

vi) revision of commission to FPS licensees.

Question : FAILURE OF PDS

Answer given by the minister

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