Parliament Question: Leakages in the Public Distribution System

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6081 TO BE ANSWERED ON IsT APRIL, 2026 LEAKAGES IN THE PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 6081. SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a): the details of the most recent data pertaining to leakages (loss of grains) in the Public Distribution System (PDS); (b): whether there is any decline in leakages during the last years due to initiatives taken by the Government and if so, the details thereof; (c): the manner in which e-governance tools and technology are helping in the reduction of leakages; (d): whether the usage of new-age technologies like Al in ensuring end to end delivery of grains to the intended persons and if so, the details thereof; and (e): the details of initiatives taken by the Government in the State of Maharashtra in this regard? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA) (a) : No specific data regarding leakages (loss of grains) in the Public Distribution System (PDS) is available with the department. (b) to (e): As part of the technology-driven modernization of the Public Distribution System (PDS) various reforms have been implemented across all the States/UTs (including Maharashtra) to improve efficiency, enhance transparency and reduce leakages. The details are as under: • Ration cards/beneficiary’s database have been completely digitized (100%) in all States/UTs. 99.7% of ration cards have been Aadhaar seeded. • The transparency portal and online grievance redressal facility/Toll-free number have been implemented in all States/UTs. • Online allocation has been implemented in all States/UTs and supply chain has been computerized in 3 1 States/UTs (except UTs ofChandigarh, Puducherry and Urban area of Dadra & Nagar Haveli which have adopted DBT Cash Transfer scheme). • The nationwide portability of ration cards, popularly known as One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) has been implemented in all 36 States/UTs, covering all Pradhan IMantriGarib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) beneficiaries. As on date, more than 207 Crore portability transactions have been recorded under ONORC. More than 5.50 Lakh (99.8%) out of total 5.51 Lakh Fair Price Shops (FPSs) in the country • have been automated by installing ePoS devices for the distribution offoodgrains through Aadhaar biometric authentication of beneficiaries. SeScSc SeScSe