CVC has pointed out corruption in PDS: Minister

NEW DELHI: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has pointed out corruption and irregularities in the functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in it several reports, Parliament was informed today.

The government also said it has taken various steps for better targetting of food subsidies, removing bogus ration cards, ensuring timely availability of foodgrains, check leakages and introduce public accountability among others.

"CVC in its various reports submitted to the Supreme Court has pointed towards corruption at various levels in the implementation of PDS as well as referred to deficiencies in the functioning of PDS," Minister of State for Food Raosaheb Patil Danve said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

The CVC has pointed out deficiencies such as inclusion and exclusion errors, prevalence of bogus and ineligible ration cards, diversion of foodgrains, beneficiaries not getting their entitled quota among others, he said.

"There have also been complaints about alleged irregularities in the functioning of PDS including corruption in some states/regions in the country," he added.

Asked measures taken to improve PDS, the Minister said the government has taken several steps including end-to-end computerisation of PDS operations, setting up of transparency portals and grievances redressal mechanism.

Stating that PDS is operated jointly by the Centre and states, he said that the operational responsibility for PDS implementation rests with states. The complaints received by the Centre are referred to the state governments for inquiry and appropriate action, he added.

The government supplies highly subsidised foodgrains through PDS to ensure food security to the poor.