Question : MONITORING OF PDS

(a) whether complaints have been received regarding irregularities, diversions, blackmarketing and prevalence of fake cards in the Public Distribution System (PDS) due to lack of a monitoring system at the Central level and co-ordination between the Union and the State Governments;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken for better coordination between the Union and the State Governments and to evolve a Central monitoring system to check diversion of PDS commodities and misuse of funds;

(c) whether there is any mechanism for providing information sought by the public representatives regarding implementation of PDS in their areas; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b): As per the Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001 notified by the Government, State/Union Territory (UT) Governments are required to take all necessary steps stipulated in the Order to maintain supplies and secure availability and distribution of essential commodities under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). The State/UT Governments have also been delegated powers to take necessary action under the provisions of “The Essential Commodities Act, 1955” and “The Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980” to prevent hoarding and blackmarketing of essential commodities.

In order to monitor the functioning of TPDS, a Nine point Action Plan was evolved in consultation with States/UTs in July, 2006 for implementation by them. Action taken by States/UTs on the action plan is reviewed by the Government on a regular basis. The Department has also launched a plan scheme under 12th Five Year Plan for end-to-end computerisation of TPDS operations in all States/UTs. The scheme inter-alia provides for digitization of beneficiaries and other databases, computerisation of supply-chain, setting-up of transparency portal, grievance redressal mechanism, Fair Price Shop (FPS) automation, etc.

Further, conferences of Food Ministers, Food Secretaries and other officials of States/UTs are regularly held and advisories are also issued from time to time to have better coordination and improvement in implementation of TPDS.

There have been complaints about irregularities in the functioning of the TPDS including diversion of foodgrains, prevalence of bogus ration cards etc. 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/UT Governments concerned for inquiry and appropriate action.

(c) & (d): TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/UT Governments wherein the operational responsibilities for implementation of TPDS in States/UTs including allocation and distribution of foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, issuance of ration cards to them and supervision over and monitoring of functioning of FPSs rest with the concerned State/UT Governments. Hence, providing of information to public representatives relating to TPDS operations within the State/UT is the responsibility of the respective State/UT.

Based on information furnished by the States/UTs regarding ration cards issued, number of FPSs in the State/UT, scale of issue of TPDS commodities, their issue price etc., statements are compiled by the Department which are uploaded on the website of the Department. Further, details regarding State/ UT-wise allocation and offtake of foodgrains under TPDS are also uploaded on the website. Details such as allocation of foodgrains within the State/UT, list of beneficiaries and FPSs, etc. are also put by some of the State/UT Governments on their respective websites.