Question : FOODGRAINS BASED WELFARE PROGRAMMES .

(a) whether the Government is aware that the benefits of various foodgrains based welfare programmes are not reaching to the intended beneficiaries across the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government has undertaken any study/survey to ascertain the number of the poor people suffering from hunger in various parts of the country and if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and

(d) the remedial measures taken/being taken by the Government for elimination of hunger from the country?

MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAMVILAS PASWAN)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO. 104 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 03.03.2015 IN THE LOK SABHA.

(a) & (b): Government of India makes allocation of foodgrains to the States/Union Territories (UTs) under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) such as Annapurna Scheme, Welfare Institutions Scheme, Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Class Hostel Scheme etc. These Schemes are operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and State/UT Governments wherein the Central Government is responsible for allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the operational responsibilities for allocation and distribution of foodgrains within the States/UTs and supervision over and monitoring of the schemes rest with the concerned State/UT Governments. As reported by the States/UTs, the lifting of foodgrains during the last three years is more than 96% under TPDS for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families and nearly 80% and above under the OWS.

Complaints are, however, received from time to time regarding shortcomings in distribution of foodgrains to beneficiaries. Also, based on National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) data on consumption expenditure and offtake of foodgrains, some independent researchers have inferred about the extent of leakages from PDS, which are only indicative in nature.

To ensure timely availability of foodgrains, check on leakage/diversion of foodgrains, introducing public accountability, removing of bogus ration cards etc., the Government has taken up with the States/UTs for implementing measures such as door-step delivery of foodgrains under TPDS, correct identification of beneficiaries, ensuring monitoring and vigilance and improving viability of Fair Price Shop operations. With a view to modernize the system, the Government has initiated a Plan Scheme on End-to-end Computerization of TPDS Operations on cost sharing basis with States/UTs which would facilitate digitization of ration cards/beneficiary and other data base, computerization of supply chain management, setting up of transparency portal and grievance redressal mechanisms.

(c): No Madam, correct identification of beneficiaries in a fair and transparent manner under TPDS is the responsibility of the State/UT Governments.

(d): Government is implementing TPDS under which subsidized foodgrains are made available to eligible households. Government has enacted National Food Security Act (NFSA) which provides for coverage upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving foodgrains at highly subsidized prices of Rs.1/2/3 per kg for coarsegrains/ wheat/rice. So far the Act has been implemented in 11 States/UTs. In rest of the States/ UTs, allocation of foodgrains under existing TPDS is continuing.