Question : PDS FOR BPL

(a) the details of commodities being supplied through The Public Distribution System (PDS) in various parts of the country, State-wise;

(b) whether the Government proposes to prepare a fresh list of Below Poverty Line (BPL) beneficiaries and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal to limit the Public Distribution System (PDS) exclusively to those possessing the BPL cards or initiate a new scheme for this section and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government has received any request from the States for allocation of more foodgrains for the BPL beneficiaries, if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto, State-wise?

MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAMVILASH PASWAN)

(a), (b) (c) & (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 490 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 12.08.2014 IN THE LOK SABHA.

(a): Government allocates foodgrains (rice, wheat and coarse grains) and kerosene to all States/UTs for distribution through the PDS. State/UT–wise details of allocation of foodgrains and kerosene during 2014-15 are at Annex-I and II respectively. Government also provides subsidy to States/UTs who procure and distribute sugar under the PDS. In addition to above, some States/UTs are distributing other commodities like salt, edible oil, pulses, etc. through the PDS outlets, details of which are at Annex-III.

(b) & (c): No, Madam. There is no proposal under consideration of the Government for preparing a fresh list of Below Poverty Line (BPL) beneficiaries. However, in terms of the PDS (Control) Order, 2001, States/UTs are to get the lists of BPL and Antyodaya families reviewed every year for the purpose of deletion of ineligible families and inclusion of eligible families. Further, the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), notified on 10.9.2013, provides for coverage of about two-thirds of the population under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in two categories, namely, the existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households. The identification of priority households within the total coverage determined for each State/UT is to be undertaken by the respective States/UTs.

(d): A few States have requested for additional allocation of foodgrains for BPL families. During 2014-15, Government has allocated 104.93 lakh tons of foodgrains under normal TPDS for BPL families to those States/UTs, which have not implemented NFSA so far. Government has also allocated additional 29.86 lakh tons foodgrains for BPL families to these States/UTs. State /UT-wise details of additional allocation of foodgrains made for BPL families during the current year are at Annex-IV.