Question : QUALITY OF PDS ITEMS SUPLIED TO STATES

(a) whether the quality of Public Distribution System items supplied by Food Corporation of India to various States have been objected by several State Governments in the recent past;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the name of States and the reasons for objections;

(c) the quantity of PDS items returned by the States so far, State-wise and items-wise;

(d) whether the Government have also received any complaints from various States regarding poor quality of foodgrains supplied under Mid-Day-Meal operation plan;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon; and

(f) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to supply better quality of PDS items to States?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )

(a) Yes sir.

(b) Some State Governments viz., Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir & Tripura had shown reluctance in accepting the rice procured under relaxed specification (URS rice), particularly procured in Punjab, during 1997-98 and 1998-99. The URS rice of 1997-98 has been frozen from issue under TPDS. However, the State Governments have been allowed to inspect the quality of foodgrains after joint sampling and satisfy themselves before lifting the same from FCI godowns.

(c) No PDS foodgrains supplied by FCI were returned back by the States.

(d) & (e) : FCI had received complaints from Manipur about issue of poor quality of foodgrains under Mid-Day Meal scheme. On investigation, it was found that only good quality of stocks were issued from FCI depots for the same.

(f) The following steps have been taken by the Government to supply better quality of foodgrains being distributed through TPDS:

i. Only good quality foodgrains, conforming to (Prevention of Food Adulteration Act) PFA standards and free from insects are issued to State Governments by the FCI for distribution under TPDS.

ii. Ample opportunities are provided to the State Governments or their agencies to inspect foodgrains prior to lifting from FCI godowns. Instructions have been issued to all State Governments that officers not below the rank of Inspector be deputed for inspection of the foodgrains before lifting from FCI godowns.

iii. The samples are jointly drawn and sealed by the officers of State Government and FCI for display at the Fair Price Shops.

iv. The specifications of foodgrains have been tightened and no relaxation has been extended excepting Orissa which was affected by super cyclone.