Question : ANTYODAYA ANNA YOJANA



(a) the number of families covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) alongwith the quantum and value of foodgrains allocated to the State of Gujarat during each of the last three years and the current year;

(b) whether the Government has any mechanism to check corruption and diversion in AAY;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the number of complaints of corruption and diversion in AAY received by the Government alongwith the action taken thereon during the said period, State-wise?

Answer given by the minister


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.