Executive Summary:
This document summarizes a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2852 regarding the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India, with a focus on Tamil Nadu. The response details beneficiary coverage under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), measures to enhance transparency and reduce leakages, the status of digitization, and handling of complaints related to PDS. The answer was provided on August 6, 2025, by the Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shrimati Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Beneficiary Coverage:**
* The PDS is governed by the National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA).
* State/UT-wise coverage of beneficiaries under NFSA is provided in an annexure.
* Total number of beneficiaries covered under NFSA is 8056.05 Lakh.
* **Transparency and Leakage Reduction:**
* Ration card/beneficiary databases are fully digitized (100%) in all States/UTs, including Tamil Nadu.
* Transparency portals, online grievance redressal facilities, and toll-free numbers are implemented across all States/UTs, including Tamil Nadu.
* Online allocation is implemented in all States/UTs, including Tamil Nadu.
* Supply chain computerization is implemented in 31 States/UTs, including Tamil Nadu, except Chandigarh, Puducherry, and the urban area of Dadra Nagar Haveli which adopted DBT Cash Transfer scheme.
* All Fair Price Shops (FPSs) in Tamil Nadu are automated with ePoS devices for transparent electronic distribution using biometric Aadhaar authentication.
* **Complaints Related to PDS:**
* Common complaints include:
* Inclusion/exclusion of members in ration cards.
* Issuance, deletion, or category change of ration cards.
* Errors in beneficiary details.
* Foodgrain quality/quantity issues.
* ePoS biometric authentication errors/delays.
* Overcharging by FPS dealers.
* Tamil Nadu received 309 complaints from 2022-2024 (55 in 2022, 103 in 2023, and 151 in 2024).
* Complaints were forwarded to the State Government for inquiry and action.
Impact Analysis:
* **Beneficiaries:**
* *Impact:* Beneficiaries are impacted by improvements in transparency and efficiency through digitization and Aadhaar authentication, as well as by the handling of complaints related to PDS services.
* *Action Required:* Beneficiaries may need to enroll in Aadhaar authentication for PDS access and utilize online portals or toll-free numbers for grievance redressal.
* **State Governments (specifically Tamil Nadu):**
* *Impact:* State Governments are responsible for implementing and overseeing the PDS, addressing complaints, and ensuring food security.
* *Action Required:* State Governments need to inquire into and take appropriate action on PDS-related complaints received, maintain digitized records, and ensure the effective operation of ePoS systems.
* **Fair Price Shop (FPS) Dealers:**
* *Impact:* FPS dealers are responsible for distributing foodgrains transparently and efficiently using ePoS devices, and must avoid overcharging or unauthorized collections.
* *Action Required:* FPS dealers must implement ePoS systems, ensure accurate biometric authentication, and adhere to prescribed pricing and distribution guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
Public Distribution System: A government-managed system for distributing food and non-food items to the poor at subsidized rates.
National Food Security Act 2013: An Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country's population.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India, specifically mentioned in the context of PDS implementation, digitization, and complaints.
Fair Price Shops: Government-approved shops that distribute essential commodities to ration card holders under the Public Distribution System.
ePoint of Sale devices: Electronic devices used at Fair Price Shops for transparent distribution of foodgrains through biometric Aadhaar authentication.
Aadhaar: A 12-digit unique identity number issued to all Indian residents based on their biometric and demographic data.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding PDS was raised.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India with a coverage of 268.22 Lakh beneficiaries under NFSA.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2852
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025
BENEFICIARIES COVERED UNDER PDS
2852. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a): the details of the total number of beneficiaries covered under the Public Distribution
System (PDS) across the country, State-wise including Tamil Nadu;
(b): the measures taken by the Govermnent to ensure transparency and reduce leakages in
the distribution offoodgrains under PDS especially in Tamil Nadu;
(c): the status of digitisation of ration cards and installation of e-Point of Sale (e-POS)
devices at Fair Price Shops in Tamil Nadu;
(d): the number and nature of complaints received related to PDS in Tamil Nadu during
the last three years and the action taken on them;
(e): whether the Government proposes any steps to improve the reach and efficiency of
PDS to ensure food security in rural and urban areas of Tamil Nadu; and
(f) : if so, the details thereoP
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
>
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRTMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a): The Public Distribution System (PDS) is governed as per provisions of the National
Food Security Act 2013, (NFS A). A Statement indicating the State/UT-wise coverage of
beneficiaries under the NFS A is at Annexure.
(b) & (c): As pall of the technology driven Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)
reforms, with the aim to enhance transparency and efficiency in the TPDS, ration
ends/beneficiaries database have been compietely digitized (100%) in all States/UTs
(including Tamil Nadu). The transparency portal.and online grievance redressal facility/Toll-
free number have been implemented in all Statcs,-/UTs (including Tamil .Nadu). Also, online
allocation has been implemented in all States/UTs (including Tamil Nadu) and supply chain
has been computerized in 31 States/UTs – including Tamil Nadu (exQept UTs of Chandigarh,
Puducheny and Urban area of D3dra & Nqgm Haveli which have adopted DBT Cash
Transfer scheme).-2-
Further, for better tracking of foodgrains distribution, all Fair Price Shops (FPSs) in
the Tamil Nadu have been automated by installing ePoS devices for the distribution of
foodgrains in a transparent manner (electronically) through biometric/ Aadhaar authentication
of beneficiaries.
(d): The complaints related to PDS predominantly pertain to the following categories:
Inclusion/ exclusion of members in the ration card
1.
11. Issuance of New Ration card/ Deletion of Ration card/ Change of Category of Ration
card
111. Errors in the beneficiary details.
I V. Quality/ Quantity of foodgrains.
V. Error/ delay while biometric authentication of beneficiaries on ePoS devices.
Vl. Overcharging or unauthorized collection of money by FPS (Fair Price Shop) dealers.
In so far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, a total no. of 309 complaints related to PDS
were received during the last three years i.e. 2022 to 2024 (i.e. 55 in 2022, 103 in 2023 and
151 in 2024). These complaints were sent to the State Government for inquiry and
approprIate actIon.
(e) & (f): As in part (b) & (c) above.
see SeScSe +:Annexure
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PARTS (a) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.2852 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 06.08.2025 REGARDING
“BENEFICIARIES COVERED UNDER PDS”.
Statement showing the State-wise coverage of beneficiaries under NFSA
(in Lakh)
S.No States/ UTs Present Coverage
1 Andhra Pradesh 268.22
2 Arunachal Pradesh 8.44
a j Assam 247.98
4 Bihar 871.16
5 Chattisgarh 200.77
6 Delhi 72.78
7 Goa 5.32
8 365.84
9 126.49
10 Himachal Pradesh 29.88
11 Jharkhand 264.19
12 Karnataka 40 1 .93
13 Kerala 154.80
14 Madhya Pradesh 534.79
15 Maharashtra 700.17
16 Manipur 20.87
17 Meghalaya 2 1 .46
18 Mizoram 7.05
19 Nagaland 14.05
20 Odisha 325.17
21 Punjab 141.45
22 Rajasthan 440.0 1
23 Sikkim 3.81
24 Tamil Nadu 364.12
25 Telangana 191.70
26 Tripura 24.43
27 Uttar Pradesh 1498.70
28 Uttarakhand 61.94
29 West Bengal 601.84
30 A&N 0.61
31 DNH&DD 2.69
32 Lakshadweep 0.22
33 Chandigarh (DBT) 2.99
34 Puduchery (DBT) 6.34
35 J&K 72.41
36 Ladakh 1.44
Total 8056.05