Financial help to states for GPS in trucks carrying PDS grains

NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked states to avail financial help to install GPS devices in trucks carrying foodgrain for PDS, after the success of a pilot project in this regard in Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh.

Installing Global Positioning System (GPS) was taken up for implementation in 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012) on a pilot basis in Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh for tracking movement of vehicles transporting PDS commodities to curb leakages and diversion.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Food Minister K V Thomas said: "Tamil Nadu has reported it has helped in quantities of foodgrains allotted from FCI to the intended godowns reaching without diversion."

"Chhattisgarh has intimated that after installation of GPS sets in trucks transporting PDS items, they are reaching their destination properly and no irregularities have since been found," he said.

In view of the feedback received from these state governments, "proposals have been invited from states/Union Territories for providing financial assistance under the scheme during the 2012-13 fiscal," the minister said.

The Tamil Nadu government has reported that the installation of GPS sets has created moral fear among those involved in transportation of PDS items. It has enabled tracking the movement of vehicles in short notice and avoided delays in transportation, the minister added.

The government supplies 35 kg foodgrains to 6.52 crore below poverty line (BPL) families and about 15 kg foodgrains to 11.5 crore above poverty line (APL) households every month at subsidised rates.