(a) Whether a large number of poor families including those Below Poverty Line
(BPL) have been left out of the purview of the Targeted Public Distribution System
(TPDS) ;
(b) If so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) The steps taken by the Government to supply subsidised foodgrains to all the
poor families under TPDS ?
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)&(c) : The allocation of foodgrains under Targetted Public Distribution System
(TPDS) is made on the basis of number of household estimated on the basis of poverty
estimates of the Planning Commission for 1993-94 projected on the population projection
of Registrar General as on 01.03.2000 or the number of ration cards issued by the State
Government whichever is less. As against the 6.52 crore Below Poverty Line/Antyodaya
Anna Yojana (BPL/AAY) house holds as per the poverty estimates of Planning Commission
for the year 1993-94, being followed for allocation of foodgrains under TPDS, about 9.73
crore (7.46 crore BPL and 2.25 crore AAY) families have been identified and issued
distinctive ration cards by the State Governments in the country.
The TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State
Governments wherein the Central Government is responsible for procurement
of foodgrains (Rice & Wheat), storage and their transportation upto the Principal
Distribution Centres of FCI and the State Governments are responsible for identification
of beneficiaries, issue them ration cards and distribute foodgrains through a vast net
work of 4.89 lakh Fair Price Shops scattered all over the country.
Identification of beneficiaries and issue of ration cards to them comes under the
purview of State Governments, keeping in view the overall poverty estimates of
the Planning Commission. As per TPDS (Control) Order, 2001, review of the BPL/
AAY households is to be carried out by State Governments every year, so as to
include BPL/AAY families under the scheme and exclude the ineligible families.