(a) whether vigilance committees have been constituted to monitor the Public Distribution System (PDS);
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor along with the reaction of the Government thereon;
(d) whether any role has been assigned to local Members of Parliament in these committees;and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (c) Vigilance Committees (VCs) are to be constituted by the State/UT Governments at State, District, Block and Fair Price Shop (FPS) level. The revised Model Citizens’ Charter for Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) issued by the Department in July, 2007 inter-alia contains the procedure for constitution of VCs at all levels. Some States/UTs i.e. Assam, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Puducherry have not yet reported formation of
the VCs in their States/UTs. States/UTs are advised from time to time to constitute the VCs at
all levels and to hold regular meetings.
(d) & (e) VCs are required to periodically review the functioning of the TPDS at all levels.
The VCs may include Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assemblies, Government representatives, members from social organizations, consumer organizations, local bodies,
etc. The exact role assigned to members of these Committees including local Members of
Parliament may vary from State/UT to State/UT and the information is not kept at Central level.