Government acknowledges irregularities in targetted PDS

NEW DELHI: Acknowledging irregularities in the targetted public distribution scheme, government today told Lok Sabha that it has received 60 complaints, including of blackmarketing, from different states this year.

Consumer Afairs and Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said during Question Hour that a total of 60 complaints have been received about irregularities, which have been lodged by individuals, organisations and NGOs.

With 14 complaints, Uttar Pradesh leads the list so far this year. Delhi comes second with eight complaints, he said.

Last year, a total of 460 such complaints were received by the government relating to irregularities like blackmarketing in targetted PDS, Paswan said.

"Strengthening and streamlining of TPDS is a continuous endeavour. To improve functioning of TPDS, government has been regularly issuing advisories and holding meetings wherein states and UTs are requested to review the list of beneficiaries, improve the offtake of allocated foodgrains, ensure their timely availability and bring in greater transparency," the Minister said.