Question : PRIVATISATION OF PDS

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to withdraw from the procurement, storage and distribution of foodgrains under the Public Distribution System and entrust this work to private operators;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the present status of the proposal;

(c) whether the Government has formulated a comprehensive scheme for proper and effective storage and distribution of foodgrains in backward regions and the areas affected by flood and drought; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE)

(a) & (b): No Madam. There is no proposal under consideration of the Government for withdrawal from the procurement, storage and distribution of foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distri- bution System (TPDS) and entrust this work to private operators.

(c) & (d): The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of Central Government and State/Union Territory (UT) Governments wherein the operati- onal responsibilities for lifting and distribution of the allo- cated foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible families, issuance of ration cards to them and super- vision over distribution of allocated foodgrains to eligible card holders through the Fair Price Shops (FPSs) are vested with the State/UT Governments including the specific arrange- ments, if any required, to be made for backward regions and the areas affected by flood and drought.