(a) whether the Government is aware of diversion of food items meant for Public Distribution System (PDS) to the market in some of the States, if so, the details thereof; and
(b) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that such diversions do not take place as far as PDS products are concerned?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)
(a) & (b): Public Distribution System (PDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/UT Governments, wherein the operational responsibilities within the State/UT rest with the respective State/UT Government. As and when complaints are received in this Department from individuals, organizations as well as through media reports regarding any irregularities in the functioning of the PDS, including leakages & diversion of foodgrains thus not reaching to the intended beneficiaries, etc., they are forwarded to the concerned State/UT Government for inquiry and appropriate action at their end. During the last year 2018 a total of 941 complaints were received in the Department and were forwarded to concerned State/UT for necessary action at their end.
Further, to address challenges such as leakage and diversion of foodgrains, inclusion/exclusion errors, fake and bogus ration card, Government is implementing a scheme on “End-to-End Computerisation of Targeted Public Distribution (TPDS) Operations”. The Scheme comprises digitization of ration cards/beneficiary and other databases, online allocation, computerisation of supply-chain management, setting up of transparency portals and grievance redressal mechanisms. Digitization of all ration cards/beneficiaries under NFSA have been completed in all States/UTs and the electronic Point of Sale(ePoS) devices have been installed in about 77% Fair Price Shops(FPSs) out of total 5.34 lakh FPSs across the country.
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