MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE)
(a) & (b): There have been complaints about irregularities in the functioning of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in some States/regions in the country. A total of 282 complaints were received in this Department during the year 2013. TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/UT Governments wherein the operational responsibilities for implementation of TPDS within the State/UT rest with the concerned State /UT Governments. Therefore, as and when complaints are received by the Government from individuals and organizations as well as through press reports, these are referred to the State /UT Governments concerned for inquiry and appropriate action. As regards complaints relating to quality, besides forwarding such complaints to State/UT Governments, sometimes these are also investigated through Departmental officers.
In order to maintain supplies and securing availability and distribution of essential commodities, Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001 has been notified by the Government which mandates the State and UT Governments to carry out all required action to ensure smooth functioning of TPDS. PDS (Control) Order, 2001 empowers State/UT Governments to take punitive action under clauses 8 & 9 in case of contravention of relevant provisions of the Order. The details regarding action taken under clauses 8 & 9 of the said Order during the year 2013 is as below:
Number of Number of raids Number of Number of FPS inspections conducted persons Licenses suspended/ arrested/ Cancelled/ prosecuted/ Show cause notices convicted issued/ FIR lodged 694096 50596 2970 12691
The details of action taken in cases of black marketing during the year 2013 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 are as below:
No. of raids No. of persons No. of persons No. of persons Value of conducted arrested prosecuted convicted goods confiscated (Rs. In lakhs) 196092 6056 2862 969 56784.81
Further, in order to ensure that only good quality foodgrains conforming to Food Safety Standards are issued under TPDS and other welfare schemes, there is a well defined procedure of joint inspection/sampling of the stocks by State Government authority and FCI. This Department has also issued instructions to Food Secretaries of all State/UT Governments and FCI to ensure supply of good quality foodgrains under the TPDS.
(c): Yes, Madam. Government has initiated implementation of Component-I of the plan scheme on ‘End-to-end Computerisation of Targeted Public Distribution System Operations’ during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17). Component-I comprises digitization of ration cards/beneficiary and other databases, computerization of supply-chain management, setting up of transparency portal and grievance redressal mechanisms. Under the scheme, financial assistance is being provided to States/UTs on cost sharing basis. The cost is being shared on 90:10 basis with North East States and on 50:50 basis with other States/UTs. A Common Application Software (CAS) has also been got prepared by National Informatics Centre (NIC), which has been offered to all States/UTs. The status of implementation of Component-I is given at Annexure. The use of smart card, biometrics, etc. shall be part of Component-II i.e. Fair Price Shop (FPS) automation. Government has decided that Component-II would be taken up after taking into consideration various factors like coverage and linkage with Unique Identity (UID)/ National Population Register (NPR) data, availability of connectivity at FPSs, finalisation of smart card standards, etc.
(d): Keeping in view clarification sought by States/UTs on various aspects of the scheme and for providing a comprehensive way forward for its implementation, this Department has issued the implementation guidelines for the scheme in September, 2013. While the plan scheme prescribes the key activities of Component-I that are to be implemented by all States/UTs, the implementation guidelines are broadly advisory in nature. This Department is holding regular meetings, video conferences, etc. with all States/UTs to ensure timely implementation of the project.
(e): Component-I of the plan scheme referred above includes computerisation of supply chain management, which inter-alia provides for tracking of the despatch and receipt of TPDS items at various locations like State godowns, FPSs etc. and will help in checking leakage/diversion of foodgrains.
(f): Strengthening and streamlining of TPDS is a continuous process. To improve functioning of TPDS, Government has been regularly issuing advisories and holding conferences wherein State/UT Governments are requested for continuous review of lists of Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, improving the offtake of allocated foodgrains, ensuring timely availability of foodgrains at Fair Price Shops (FPSs), door step delivery of foodgrains to FPSs, greater transparency in functioning of TPDS, improved monitoring and vigilance at various levels, use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools including end-to-end computerisation of TPDS, improving the viability of FPS operations, etc.
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