Food Security: Centre allocates foodgrains to four states so far

NEW DELHI: The Centre has allocated foodgrains to four states so far under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), Parliament was informed today.

In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Food Minister K V Thomas said: "After examining their preparedness reported by states or UTs to implement the act, allocation of foodgrains under the act so far been made to Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi."

He added that as reported by the governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi ration cards under NFSA have incorporated provisions under the act relating to per unit allocation and empowerment of women.

NFSA entitles 82 crore people to 5 kg of foodgrains per person a month at Rs 1-3 per kg. The country needs 62 million tonnes foodgrains a year to implement the law.

In another reply, Thomas said there have been complaints about irregularities in the functioning of the Targeted Public Distribution System ( TPDS) in some states and regions in the country.

According to the data shared by Food Minister, complaints related to TPDS this year increased by 56 per cent to 268 from 171 last year.

Among the total complaints received this year, Uttar Pradesh has the maximum 86 complaints followed by Delhi with 35 complaints and Bihar with 30.

Thomas added that TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of Centre and state governments, wherein the operational responsibilities for implementation of TPDS within the state rest with the state governments.

"Therefore, as and when complaints are received by the government from individuals and organisations as well as through press reports, these are referred to state/UT governments concerned," he said.