Measures to Involve of Panchayati Raj Institutions in PDS
Various measures have been taken by the Government to involve Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the implementation of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). The Public Distribution System (Control) Order 2001, notified on August 31, 2001, mandates the State and Union Territory (UT) Governments to involve the PRIs in finalizing the list of beneficiaries belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) categories, monitoring the functioning of the Fair Price Shops (FPSs), inspect FPS records, etc. This information was given by the Minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Prof. K.V. Thomas in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
He said that further, as part of the Nine Point Action Plan evolved in consultation with States/UTs in July 2006 for curbing leakages/diversion of foodgrains, with a view to ensure transparency, States/UTs have been requested to involve elected PRI members in distribution of foodgrains and for giving FPS licenses to Village Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies among others. State/UT Governments of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Chandigarh and D&N Haveli have reported allotment of FPSs to the PRIs.
Further, States/UTs have been instructed to introduce monthly certification by the concerned village panchayat/urban local body etc. of delivery of allocated TPDS commodities at the FPSs and their distribution to entitled/eligible ration card holders during the allocation month. 23 States/UTs have reported introduction of monthly certification, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal, A&N Islands, Chandigarh, D&N Haveli, Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep.
Prof Thomas said that instructions have also been issued to States/UTs stipulating that the list of BPL beneficiaries should be displayed in the FPS as well as the office of the Gram Panchayat for public scrutiny; notices regarding entitlements of foodgrains and their prices may be pasted in the office of the Gram Panchayats, Blocks, Tehsils, etc; copy of ration card, stock and sale registers maintained may be sent to the Gram Panchayats; Gram Panchayats should be encouraged to form a FPS Committee to keep a watch on the functioning of the FPS, etc.
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NCJ/RV