This document summarizes Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2897, addressed to the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on August 6, 2025, concerning potential increases to the annual income threshold for the Public Distribution System (PDS). The question specifically asks whether the Department proposes increasing the annual income limit from Rupees one lakh to two lakhs.
The response, provided by the Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shrimati Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, clarifies that the PDS operates under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013. The NFSA categorizes beneficiaries into Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households (as specified by the Central Government) and priority households (identified by State Governments/Union Territories based on their own criteria, within determined coverage limits). Consequently, income criteria for priority households can vary across states based on socio-economic and demographic conditions.
The response also addresses the rupee's value against the dollar, stating that currency values are determined by macroeconomic factors like interest rates, inflation, economic growth, and trade balance.
Finally, it clarifies that foodgrain distribution is mandated by the NFSA to ensure food and nutritional security by providing access to adequate, quality food at affordable prices, enabling people to live with dignity. The NFSA aims to cover up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population, equating to 81.35 crore persons based on the 2011 Census. Currently, approximately 80.56 crore beneficiaries are receiving free foodgrains.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The Indian government ministry responsible for consumer affairs, food, and public distribution.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Public Distribution System (PDS): A government-sponsored chain of shops entrusted with the responsibility of distributing basic food and non-food commodities to the needy sections of the society at subsidized prices.
SHRI AMFLA RAM: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA: The Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution who provided the answer.
National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA): An Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country's population.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): A scheme launched in India to provide highly subsidised food to the poorest families.
Census 2011: The 15th National Census of India, conducted in 2011, which provides demographic data referenced in the policy.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2897
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025
INCREASING THE ANNUAL INCOME FOR PDS
2897. SHRI AMFLA RAM:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a): whether the Department proposes to increase the annual income from Rupees one
lakh to two lakhs under the Public Distribution System (PDS);
(b): if so, the time by which it is likely to be done and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c): whether it is a fact that the rupee has been developed at its lowest level against the
Dollar; and
(d): whether foodgrains are being distributed because of inflation only and if so, the
details thereoF
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a) & (b): The Public Distribution System (PDS) is now governed as per the provisions
of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA). Identification of beneficiaries under the act
is under two categories- households covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) to the
extent specified by the Central Government and the remaining households as priority
households to be identified by the State Governments/ Union Territories (UT)
Administrations as per criteria evolved by them, within the coverage determined for the
State/UT. Thus, the criteria for identification of beneficiaries under Priority Households
Category may vary from State to State depending upon Socio-Economic, demographic
conditions of the State-2-
(c): The relative value of currencies including Rupee and Dollar, is determined by a
multitude of macro-economic factors, inter alia, including interest rates, inflation, economic
growth, trade balance etc. and is dynamic in nature.
(d): The act provides for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach, by
ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a
life with dignity and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The act provides for coverage of upto 75'Y, of the rural population and upto 50% of
the urban population, which at Census 2011 comes to 81 .35 crore persons. At present, free of
cost foodgrains are being provided to around 80.56 crore beneficiaries.
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