(a) whether the migrant labourers to and from West Bengal have been considered for ration under PDS system, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the inter-State migrant labourers are entitled to avail ration through Public Distribution System in the cities where they migrate;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the details of any policy, norms, regulations or instructions to ensure ration availability to internal migrant labourers in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)
(a) to (d): This Department in association with State/UT Governments is implementing a scheme on “Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)” w.e.f. April 2018. This scheme, inter-alia, includes implementation of nation-wide portability of ration card holders covered under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) to enable the migratory ration card holders/beneficiaries in the country to lift their entitled foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country by using their existing/same ration card after biometric/Aadhaar authentication on electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices installed at the FPSs. Under this Scheme MoU/agreement is signed with concerned State/UT for technology and financial support by this Department. Presently, 31 States/UTs have signed the MoU with this Department. Government of West Bengal has not signed the MoU. ........2/-
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Inter-State portability facility for beneficiaries including migrant labours has been started in 12 States namely- Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and Tripura so far. Presently, migrant labourers to and from West Bengal are not in position to lift food-grain from their desired shops.
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