Measures to Involve Panchayati Raj Institutions in the Implementation PDS

 Various measures have been taken by the Government to involve Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the implementation of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).  The Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001 mandates the State and Union Territory (UT) Governments to involve the PRIs in finalizing the list of beneficiaries belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) categories, monitoring the functioning of the Fair Price Shops (FPSs), inspect FPS records, etc. Further, as part of the Nine Point Action Plan evolved in consultation with States/UTs. States/UTs have been requested to involve elected PRI members in distribution of foodgrains and for giving FPS licenses to Village Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies among others. As reported by States/UTs upto 31.03.2014, a statement giving State/UT-wise number of FPSs being run by Village Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies is at Annexure.This information was given by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today (08.08.2014).

  The Minister said that States/UTs have also been instructed to introduce monthly certification by the concerned village panchayat/urban local body etc. of delivery of allocated TPDS commodities at the FPSs and their distribution to entitled/eligible ration card holders during the allocation month.  As upto 31.03.2014, 23 States/UTs have reported introduction of monthly certification, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep.

   Instructions have also been issued to States/UTs stipulating that the list of BPL beneficiaries should be displayed in the FPS as well as the office of the Gram Panchayat for public scrutiny; notices regarding entitlements of foodgrains and their prices may be pasted in the office of the Gram Panchayats, Blocks, Tehsils, etc; copy of ration card, stock and sale registers maintained may be sent to the Gram Panchayats; Gram Panchayats should be encouraged to form a FPS Committee to keep a watch on the functioning of the FPS, etc.

Number of run  by Village Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies in the States
			(As upto 31.03.2014)
S. No.	State/UT	Village Panchayats	Urban Local Bodies
1	Chhattisgarh	4173	24
2	Gujarat	5	20
3	Himachal Pradesh	37	0
4	Maharashtra	219	220
5	Nagaland	1165	260
6	Odisha	4287	9
7	Chandigarh	7	0
8	D&N Haveli	1	0

Courtesy: pib.nic.in