Question : Making PDS Transparent

(a) whether the Government is considering to formulate any policy to make the public distribution system easy and transparent;
(b) if so, the time by which the Government proposes to implement the new system;
(c) if not, whether the Government has constituted any committee or an institution to check the irregularities taking place in the public distribution system and for quick disposal of the complaints received in this regard; and
(d) the number of complaints redressed in the year 2016 in the State of Bihar?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b): The public distribution system is being implemented under the provisions of National Food Security Act, 2013. The Act provides for reforms in Targeted Public Distribution System that inter alia includes doorstep delivery of foodgrains to the Targeted Public Distribution System outlets, full transparency of records, application of information and communication technology tools including end-to-end Computerisation etc. For bringing transparency in Public Distribution System (PDS), Department in association with States/UTs is implementing a scheme on “End-to-end Computerization of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Operations”.
(c): National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for institutional mechanisms to monitor the implementation of public distribution system. This includes setting up of State Food Commission, appointment of District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO) and setting up of Vigilance Committee at State/District/Block and FPS levels.
(d): So far as State of Bihar is concerned, a total of 81 complaints were received during the year 2016. These were forwarded to the State Govt. for necessary action.
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