MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)
(a): The Government of India has enacted National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 which has come into force with effect from 5.7.2013. The Act provides for coverage upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population of the country for receiving 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month to Priority Households (PHH) and 35 kg per family per month to Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households at subsidized prices of Rs.3/2/1 for rice, wheat and coarsegrains respectively.
The NFSA, 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 ICT tools, cash transfer of food subsidy scheme, preference to public institutions/bodies in licensing of FPSs, etc.
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Further, to revamp and improve the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), a plan scheme namely ‘End-to-end computerization of TPDS operations’ initiated during the 12th Five Year Plan, comprises activities, namely- digitization of ration card/ beneficiary and other databases, computerization of supply chain management, setting up of transparency portals and grievance redressal mechanisms.
(b): There has been no reduction of foodgrains under normal TPDS allocation to any State/UT.
(c): Requests have been received from States/UTs for additional/higher allocation under TPDS. Requests have also been received from the States/UTs for additional allocations for natural calamities, festivals and other additional requirements of the States/UTs. Keeping in view the requests received from the States, Government has made additional allocations of 50.02 lakh tons of foodgrains during the current year for BPL and APL families in the States/UTs which have not implemented the NFSA. In addition, Government of India has also allocated a quantity of around 11.70 lakh tons of foodgrains during the current year to the States/UTs for natural calamity, festivals and other additional requirements of the States. The details of additional allocation made during 2015-16 to States/UTs are at Annex-I
(d): Under NFSA coverage of rural population is upto 75% and urban population is upto 50%. The task of distribution of PDS foodgrains to the eligible beneficiaries is in the domain of State/UT Governments.
(e): There have been complaints about irregularities in the functioning of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in some States/regions in the country. 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 Governments/UT Administrations concerned for inquiry and appropriate action.
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 beneficiaries, 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.
TPDS(C) Order, 2015 inter-alia requires State Government to take following important steps for reforming TPDS:-
1. Ensure through Authorised Agency, Physical delivery of foodgrains at FPS.
2. Obtain Monthly certificate confirming delivery of allocated foodgrain at FPS and its distribution to eligible household.
3. Application of IT tools for functioning of PDS.
4. Ensure monitoring of end-to-end operations of TPDS through electronic platform.
5. Notify Internal Grievance Redressal Mechanism
Further, if any person contravenes any of the provisions of this Order, he shall be liable to punishment under section 7 of the E.C. Act.
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