MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a),(b),(c)&(d): In the course of hearing on Writ Petition 196/2001 on 12.07.2006,
Hon’ble Supreme Court made certain observations about monitoring of funds spent on
Public Distribution System and passed an Order setting up Central Vigilance Committee
(CVC) to study functioning of TPDS in the country. The CVC is carrying out the study.
For various malpractices detected under TPDS, the details of persons prosecuted under
the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (E.C. Act, 1955) and the persons detained under
the Prevention of Black-Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities
Act, 1980 (PBM Act, 1980) during 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are as under:
S.No. Year Persons prosecuted Persons detained under under EC Act, 1955 PBM Act, 1980
1. 2006 3244 161
2. 2007 4872 119
3. 2008 6425 162
4. 2009 2982 126 (upto 31.10.2009)
To improve functioning of TPDS, Government has directed
State & UT Governments to take up the following measures:
A. to strengthen monitoring and vigilance by-
i) implementation of the Nine Point Action Plan;
ii) taking action against those with Bogus Ration Cards; and
iii) ensuring greater involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions
(PRIs)/Urban Local Bodies in functioning of Fair Price Shops.
B. to ensure increased transparency in functioning of TPDS by-
i) adoption and implementation of revised Model Citizens’ Charter;
ii) introduction of monthly certification of delivery of foodgrains
at Fair Price Shops and their distribution to ration card holders:
iii) taking up publicity-cum-awareness Campaign on TPDS; and
iv) display of allocation of foodgrains – district
and FPS wise on websites for public scrutiny.
C. to use ICT tools such as –
i) computerisation of TPDS Operations;
ii) pilot scheme on Smart Card based Operations in Haryana and Chandigarh;
iii) piloting of new technologies for tracking movement
of vehicles transporting TPDS Commodities, and
D. to improve efficiency of FPS operations through-
i) doorstep delivery of foodgrains;
ii) ensuring timely availability of foodgrains;
iii) distribution of wheat flour/fortified wheat flour under TPDS;
iv) allotment of Fair Price Shops to Institutions and Groups;
v) sale of non-PDS items by FPS licensees, and
vi) revision of commission to FPS licensees.
