(a) whether some States have reportedly failed to issue ration cards to the eligible
beneficiaries as provided under the Public Distribution System;
(b) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years;
(c) whether the provisions made by the Government in this regard have been flouted by the States;
(d) if so, whether the Union Government has taken up the said matter with the State Governments; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the States thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (e): Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint
responsibility of the Central and the State/UT Governments. The operational responsibilities
for allocation 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 rest with the concerned State/UT Government.
There have been reports of inclusion as well as exclusion errors in issuance of ration
cards under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Public Distribution System
(Control) Order, 2001 mandates State/UT Governments to carry out all required action to
ensure smooth functioning of TPDS. Besides, in order to streamline the functioning of TPDS,
a 9-point Action Plan is under implementation by States/UT Governments since July, 2006.
As part of this action plan, State and Union Territory Governments have been advised to
continuously review lists of Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY)
families to eliminate bogus ration cards and issue ration cards to eligible families.
Instructions have also been issued to all State/UT Governments to carry out an intensive
campaign to eliminate ineligible/bogus ration cards and to take action as per law against
the persons found in possession of bogus/fake ration cards and those responsible for
issuing ration cards to ineligible families/persons. Details of action taken by State/UT
Governments during the last three years is at Annexure-I.