(a) whether there are a number of bogus ration cards in majority of the State leading to a large scale diversion of PDS items in open markets;
(b) whether the Union government have conducted any study in this regard;
(c) if so, the outcome thereof; and
(d) the steps taken to eleminate all the bogus ration cards and the action taken against the authority responsible for the issue of bogus ration cards?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a): PDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the central and State Governments.
Whereas the Central Government is responsible for procurement, storage and bulk allocation of
PDS commodities, the responsibility of identification of the BPL families, issue of ration cards
and distribution of food grains in a fair and accountable manner through the FPS rests with the
State Governments. As per the population projections of 2000, there are 18.3 crore households
in the country against which the States have reported issue of 19.5 crore ration cards. The
excess ration cards in circulation also includes bogus ration cards.
(b),(c)&(d): Government of India commissioned M/s Tata Economic Consultative Services (TECS)
to carry out a study to assess the extent of diversion of foodgrains, sugar and edible oil under
PDS in the year 1997. The study estimated the diversion of wheat at 36%, rice at 31%, sugar at
23% and edible oils at 55% at the national level.
Existence of bogus ration cards and bogus units in the ration cards was also cited as
one of the causes of diversion of food grains.
Under TPDS guidelines issued in February, 1997 States / UTs have been asked to
involve Panchyati Raj Instituted (PRIs) in the identification of targeted families. States have
been instructed to take every care while issuing ration cards against its possible misuse.
Guidelines issued for greater involvement of PRIs in functioning of TPDS, issued in June, 1999
emphasize the role of Gram Panchyat / Gram Sabhas for checking of ration cards for their
genuineness. Govt. of India has also requested States/ UTs to take effective steps for
elimination of bogus ration cards and bogus units in ration cards through door to door surveys,
periodical checking so that menace of diversion of subsidized food grains is effectively
controlled.