New Delhi: Odisha has witnessed a significant drop in complaints related to irregularities in public distribution system (PDS) in last three years, states the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
According to the data shared by the ministry in the Lok Sabha, Odisha had received 43 complaints of irregularities in PDS in 2016. The complaints related to irregularities witnessed a sharp decline in 2017 and reduced to 22. Similarly, the state has received only 15 complaints till December 10 this year.
Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution CR Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha that there have been complaints about irregularities in the functioning of the PDS, including leakage/diversion of food grains, food grains not reaching the intended beneficiaries, issuance of ration cards to ineligible persons, etc. in some states.
“PDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the state/Union Territory (UT) governments wherein the operational responsibilities for implementation of PDS within the state/UT rest with the state/UT governments concerned. Therefore, as and when complaints are received by the government from individuals and organisations as well as through media reports, they are sent to state governments concerned for inquiry and appropriate action,” said Chaudhary.
He further said an offence committed in violation of the provisions of PDS (Control) Order, 2015 is liable for penal action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Notably, the minister’s response came on an unstarred question by the Biju Janata Dal MP Bhartruhari Mahtab.
Mahtab had asked the minister whether the incidents of black marketing/irregularities in the functioning of PDS have increased during the last three years.