MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE STARRED QUESTION
NUMBER 214 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 16.8.2011 IN THE LOK SABHA.
(a) TO (d): The Hon’ble Supreme Court, in its Order dated 14.05.2011
in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 196 directed the Union of India, as a one-time
measure, to reserve 5 million tons of food grains for distribution to the
150 poorest districts or the extremely poor and vulnerable sections of
society. This Order was made to ensure that no starvation deaths may take
place and people can be saved from malnutrition as far as possible.
Further, the Hon’ble Supreme Court directed that this 5 million tons
reserved by the Union of India may be allocated on the recommendation
of the Central Vigilance Committee (CVC) on Public Distribution System.
As per directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, based on the recommendations
of the CVC, an additional allocation of 2,57,336.67 tons of Rice and Wheat
has been made on 21.7.2011 for three months to 45 districts in 8 States.
Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) has been strengthened and
streamlined over the years and it is a continuous process. Government has
been regularly reviewing the functioning of TPDS and issuing advisories
to State Governments/UT Administrations. They have been requested to
undertake periodical review of lists of Below Poverty Line and Antyodaya
Anna Yojana families, eliminate bogus/ineligible ration cards, ensure timely
availability of foodgrains at Fair Price Shops (FPSs) and greater
transparency in the functioning of TPDS through use of Information
technology, improved monitoring and vigilance at various levels. Several
initiatives have been take by the Central and State Governments for
introduction of new technologies such as Computerization of TPDS operations,
use of bar-coded ration cards/coupons and biometric identification of
beneficiaries.
