(a) the number of fake ration cards detected during the last two years;
(b) whether involvement of any employee and/or ration dealers in this matter has been detected during the said period;
(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(d) whether the Government has taken/propose to take action against the erring officials; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH )
(a), (b), (c), (d) & (e): The Public Distribution System is operated under the joint responsibility of the
Central and State Governments wherein the States are responsible for identification of beneficiaries, issue of Ration
Cards and their distribution through the Fair Price Shops (FPS). The Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001
was issued by the Government of India in order to streamline the functioning of the PDS and to make the same more
effective and accountable. Under this Order, the State Government shall conduct periodical checking of ration cards
to weed out ineligible and bogus ration cards and bogus units in ration cards as a continuous exercise to check
diversion of essential commodities. Any offence committed in violation of the provisions of the Order invokes criminal
liability under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The State-wise details of detection of fake
ration cards, involvement of the employee or ration dealer in this and action taken against the erring officials
by the States/UTs is not maintained by the Central Government.