MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (d): Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), focused on the poor,
aims at distributing subsidized foodgrains to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families
in the country.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), as a sub set of TPDS, covers the poorest
families among BPL category. AAY was launched in December, 2000 and there have
been three expansions since then. As per reports received from State/Union
Territory (UT) Governments upto June, 2011, 243.871 lakh AAY cards have been
issued, including 8.098 lakh AAY cards in the State of Gujarat. During the
years 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and the current year 2011-12, 3,40,080 tons of
foodgrains have been allocated for AAY families in the State of Gujarat in each
of the respective years. The economic cost of foodgrains (rice and wheat) in the
last three years and the current year is as below:-
(Rupees per Quintal)
Year Rice Wheat
2008-09 1740.73 1380.58
2009-10 1834.52 1421.73
(Provisional)
2010-11 (BE) 1981.03 1513.04
2011-12 (BE) 2068.95 1580.58
There have been some reports of irregularities in the functioning of the
TPDS. Complaints as and when received by government from individuals and
organisations, as well as through press reports on functioning of TPDS, are sent
to the concerned State/UT Governments for inquiry and action. The State-wise
details of number of complaints on functioning of TPDS received during the last
three years and the current year are given in Annexure-I.
Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001 mandates the State and
UT Governments to carry out all required action to ensure smooth functioning
of TPDS. An offence committed in violation of the provisions of this Order
is liable for penal action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Strengthening and streamlining of TPDS is a continuous process. To improve
functioning of TPDS, Government has been regularly requesting State and UT
Governments for continuous review of lists of BPL and AAY families; ensuring
timely availability of foodgrains at fair price shops; ensuring greater
transparency in functioning of TPDS; improved monitoring and vigilance at
various levels, and introduction of new technologies such as Computerisation
of TPDS operations at various levels.