Question : CONDITION OF FAIR PRICE SHOPS

(a) whether the Government is aware that the Fair Price Shops (FPS) in different parts of the country are set up either in the houses or dilapidated rented buildings;

(b) if so, whether the foodgrains, sugar etc. are kept in an unhygienic condition in such shops;

(c) if so, whether the Government proposes to issue guidelines to States/Union Territories for construction of pucca structures for FPS to ensure safety of the commodities to be distributed through these FPS;

(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to give special funds to States for the said purpose;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH )

(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f): The Targetted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State Governments wherein the Central Government is responsible for procurement of foodgrains, storage and their transportation upto the Principal Distribution Centres of FCI. The responsibility of opening of Fair Price Shops (FPS) and their administration rests with the respective State Governments. However no such instances of functioning of FPSs in dilapidated buildings and keeping the foodgrains in an unhygienic condition have come to the notice of the Government in the recent past.