Question : PDS IN ORISSA

(a) whether the Union Government have implemented the scheme meant for distribution of foodgrains under the Public Distribution System to the people living below the poverty line by treating all the persons of eight districts of Kalahandi, Bolangir and Korapur areas of Orissa as living below the poverty line;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons thereto;

(c) whether the Government would conduct any survey in regard to the districts of other States of the country to ascertain the number of people living below the poverty line;

(d) whether there is any proposal to provide cheaper foodgrains on the same lines to all the States particularly to Maharashtra and Karnataka;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) if not, the reasons thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI ASHOK PRADHAN )

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): Keeping in view the special problems of the eight districts of Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput (KBK) region of Orissa, allocation of foodgrains @ 25 kg. per family per month is being made for 13.93 lakh households estimated to be the total number of households in the KBK region of Orissa at BPL rates w.e.f. January, 2002.

(c): The identification of BPL families under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is carried out by the States/UTs themselves. In the guidelines for implementation of TPDS they have been advised that the thrust should be to include only the poor and vulnerable sections of the society. All the States/UTs have identified BPL families and TPDS has been implemented throughout the country.

(d),(e)&(f): No, Sir. However, other complementary schemes such as Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Sampoorna Gramin Rojgar Yojana (SGRY), Annapoorna and Food for Work Programme are under implementation in all States of the country, including Maharashtra and Karnataka, for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable sections of the society.