There have been complaints about irregularities in the functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS) including leakage/diversion of foodgrains, foodgrains not reaching the intended beneficiaries, issuance of ration cards to ineligible persons, etc. in some States/regions in the country. PDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/Union Territory (UT) Governments wherein the operational responsibilities for implementation of PDS within the State/UT rest with the State/UT Governments concerned. Therefore, as and when complaints are received by the Government from individuals and organizations as well as through press reports, they are sent to State/UT Governments concerned for inquiry and appropriate action. An offence committed in violation of the provisions of PDS (Control) Order, 2015 is liable for penal action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Thus, the Order empowers State/UT Governments to take punitive action in case of contravention of relevant provisions of these Orders. A State/UT-wise statement indicating number of such complaints received during the last three years and the current year is at Annexure- I.
Demand for additional/higher allocation of foodgrains is received in this Department from time to time and the allocation as per guidelines for following purposes i.e. floods, droughts, for tea plantation and during various festival etc. The State/UT-wise details of additional/higher allocation of foodgrains during the last three years and the current year is at Annexure-II.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri C.R. Chaudhary in Lok Sabha today.
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APS