Ration door-step delivery under PDS - know more

Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Danve Raosaheb Dadarao recently said that the Department of Food is aware of the fact that some of the beneficiaries may be experiencing difficulty in getting their
entitled foodgrains because of their inability to visit the Fair Price Shop (FPS) themselves for reasons such as old age (above 65 years), physical disability, etc. 

The department has therefore issued instructions to all states/UTs for special dispensation of foodgrains. Further, in this regard, no objection has been received from any State/UT by the Department. 

It may be noted that the Public Distribution System (PDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of the central and state/UT governments. The central government is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains up to the designated depots of the FCI.  The operational responsibilities for identification of eligible beneficiaries, families, issuance of ration cards to them and maintenance of all record s relating to beneficiaries and distribution of foodgrains, etc. rest with the concerned state/UT Government.

Also, Minister of consumer affairs, food & public distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan met state food secretaries and state government officials along with officials of Food Corporation of India (FCI), Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs) in New Delhi on Thursday.

One of the key decisions taken in the meeting was the decision to roll out 'One Nation One Ration Card' which will ensure all beneficiaries especially migrants can access PDS across the nation from any PDS shop of their own choice. The initiative will mean that the beneficiaries will not be tied to any one PDS shop and so their dependence on shop owners will decrease which in turn will curtail instances of corruption. 

The main objective behind this initiative is to ensure that no poor person is deprived of getting subsidised foodgrains under the food security scheme when they shift from one place to another. It also aims to remove the chance of anyone holding more than one ration card to avail benefits from different states.

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