(a) whether complaints regarding irregularities in Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) like under weighing, errors of inclusion and exclusion have been reported during each of the last three years and the current year;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon, State-wise; and
(c) the corrective steps being taken to check recurrence of such cases in future?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE)
(a) & (b): There have been complaints about irregularities in the functioning of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in some States/regions in the country. TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/Union Territory (UT) Governments wherein the operational responsibilities for implemen- tation of TPDS within the State/UT rest with the State/ UT Governments concerned. Therefore, as and when complaints are received by the Government from individuals and organizations as well as through press reports, these are referred to the State/UT Governments concerned, if required, for inquiry and appropriate action. A State/UT-wise statement indi- cating number of such complaints received during the last three years and current year is at Annex.
(c): Strengthening and streamlining of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is a continuous endeavour. To improve functioning of TPDS, Government has been regularly issuing advisories and holding meetings, conferences, etc. wherein State/UT Governments are requested for review of lists of beneficaries, improving the offtake of allocated foodgrains, ensuring timely availability of foodgrains at Fair price Shops (FPSs), greater transparency in functioning of TPDS, improved monitoring and vigilance at various levels, improving the viability of FPS operations, etc.
The National Food Security Act, 2013, notified on 10.09.2013, also contains measures for reforms in TPDS, to be undertaken progressively by the Central and State/UT Governments. These reforms inter alia include door-step delivery of foodgrains at the FPS, application of information and communication techno- logy tools including end to end computerisation, preference to public institutions/bodies in licensing of FPSs, etc.