(a) whether the Union Government have issued any guidelines to the States to take utmost care in issuing ration cards by involving Panchayati Raj institutions;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the response of the State Governments to these guidelines;
(d) whether it is a fact that detection of bogus ration cards is increasing year after year; and
(e) if so, the number of bogus ration cards detected in different States during the last
three years, year-wise?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a),(b)&(c): Under TPDS guidelines issued in February 1997 States/UTs have been asked to
involve Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the identification of targetted families. States
have been instructed to take every care while issuing ration cards against its possible misuse.
Guidelines issued for greater involvement of PRIs in functioning of TPDS, issued in June 1999
emphasize the role of Gram Panchayat/Gram Sabhas for checking of ration cards for their
genuineness.
(d)&(e): As per records available in the Ministry, it is not evident whether there is
an increase or decrease in the number of bogus ration cards in circulation. Details of
state-wise, number of bogus ration cards is not maintained in the Ministry.