Executive Summary:
This document addresses questions regarding the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Tamil Nadu, including the Arani Lok Sabha Constituency. It details the number of beneficiaries, quantity of foodgrains distributed over the last three fiscal years (FY 2022-23, FY 2023-24, and FY 2024-25), technology-driven reforms implemented, plans for expanding PDS coverage, and other reforms considered by the government. The information is provided in response to questions raised in Lok Sabha on July 23, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Beneficiary Coverage:
* The National Food Security Act, 2013, aims to cover approximately 62.55% of the rural and 37.79% of the urban population in Tamil Nadu under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
* Based on Census 2011, this equates to approximately 364.69 lakh persons.
* The State Government has identified 364.12 lakh beneficiaries in Tamil Nadu, including the Arani Lok Sabha Constituency.
Foodgrain Distribution:
* Under PMGKAY, approximately 23.41 LMT, 23.36 LMT, and 23.35 LMT of foodgrains were distributed in FY 2022-23, FY 2023-24, and FY 2024-25, respectively, in Tamil Nadu, including the Arani Lok Sabha Constituency.
Technology-Driven Reforms:
* Almost all Fair Price Shops (FPSs) have been automated by installing ePoS devices.
* Distribution of foodgrains occurs electronically through biometric Aadhaar authentication of PMGKAY beneficiaries.
* Aadhaar authentication aims to curb leakages and ensure transparency in the PDS system.
PDS Coverage Expansion:
* Under the National Food Security Act, 2013, foodgrains are defined as rice, wheat, coarse grains, or any combination thereof.
* Millets are already considered part of PDS, and there are no current proposals to include more commodities under the Act.
* An advisory has been issued to States/UTs to procure and distribute millets based on local preferences and Central Government guidelines to improve nutrition levels.
Other Reforms:
* Ration card/beneficiary databases have been fully digitized (100%) in all States/UTs.
* Transparency portals and online grievance redressal facilities (including toll-free numbers) have been implemented in all States/UTs.
* Online allocation has been implemented in all States/UTs.
* Supply chain computerization has been implemented in 31 States/UTs, excluding UTs of Chandigarh, Puducherry, and the urban area of Dadra Nagar Haveli, which have adopted the DBT Cash Transfer scheme.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/Union Territories:
* Impact: Expected to implement technology-driven reforms, including digitization, automation of FPSs, and Aadhaar authentication. Advised to procure and distribute millets.
* Action Required: Digitize beneficiary databases, automate FPSs, implement transparency portals and grievance redressal, consider millet distribution based on local preferences, and adhere to central guidelines.
Beneficiaries:
* Impact: Access to foodgrains through Aadhaar-authenticated distribution. Potential inclusion of millets in their food rations.
* Action Required: Register for Aadhaar authentication to receive foodgrains.
Central Government:
* Impact: Oversight and monitoring of PDS implementation, including technology adoption and millet distribution.
* Action Required: Issue guidelines for millet procurement and distribution. Monitor the progress of digitization and automation efforts in States/UTs.
Key Entities Referenced
Public Distribution System: A government-run food security system in India that distributes subsidized food and essential items to the poor.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India where the Public Distribution System is being discussed in the policy document.
Arani Lok Sabha Constituency: A parliamentary constituency in Tamil Nadu, specifically mentioned in relation to PDS coverage.
National Food Security Act, 2013: An Indian Act of Parliament which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country's population.
Targeted Public Distribution System: A reformed version of PDS aimed at better targeting of beneficiaries.
Aadhaar: A 12-digit unique identity number issued to all Indian residents based on their biometric and demographic data.
PMGKAY: Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, a food security welfare scheme in India that provides free food grains to the poor during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The Indian government ministry responsible for consumer protection, food safety, and 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. 541
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
PDS IN TAMIL NADU
541. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of beneficiaries currently covered under the Public Distribution System
(PDS) including Arani Lok Sabha Constituency of Tamil Nadu;
(b) the quantity of foodgrains distributed through PDS during the last three years;
(c) whether the Government has implemented any technology-driven reforms like Aadhaar-
based authentication, ePDS or online monitoring systems to ensure proper distribution and
curb malpractices, and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has any plans to expand the coverage of PDS to include
nutritious food items like millets, vegetab]es or fortified foods and if so, the details thereof;
and
(e) whether the Government is considering any reforms to the PDS and if so, the details
thereon
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS.
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA
)
(a): The National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for coverage of about 62.55% of the
rural and 37.79% of the urban population for receiving foodgrains free of cost under Targeted
Public Distribution System (TPDS) in the State of Tamil Nadu, which at Census 2011 comes
to about 364.69 lakh persons. At present against the intended coverage of 364.69 lakh persons,
the State Government has identified 364.12 lakh beneficiaries in Tamil Nadu including Arani
Lok Sabha Constituency.(b): About 23.41 LMT, 23.36 LMT and 23.35 LMT foodgrains have been distributed in FY
2022-23, FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 respectivejy under PMGKAY in Tamil Nadu including
Arani Lok Sabha Constituency.
(c): Under TPDS reforms, for better monitorinG of foodgrains distribution, almost all FPSs
have been automated by installation of e-PoS devices for the distribution of food-grains in a
transparent manner (electronically) through biometric /Aadhaar authentication of PMGKAY
beneficiaries. The distribution is done through Aadhaar authentication to curb the leakages and
ensuring the transparency in PDS System.
(d): Under the National Food Security Act, 2013. the term “foodgrains” is defined as rice,
wheat or coarse grains or any combination thereof conforming to such quality norms as may be
determined, by order, by the Central Govenrment from time to time. Therefore, the millets are
already part of PDS. At present, no proposal to include more commodities under the Act, is
under consideration of the Government.
To improve the level of nutrition, an advisory has been issued to all the States/UTs to
procure millets and distribute them to beneficiaries as per local consumption preferences and
as per guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time.
(e): As part of the technology driven Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) reforms,
with the aim to enhance transparency and improve efficiency in the TPDS, ration
cards/beneficiaries database have been completely digitized (100%) in all States/UTs. The
transparency portal and online grievance redressal facility/Toll-free number have been
implemented in all States/UTs. Also, online a]location has been implemented in all States/UTs
and supply chain has been computerized in 31 States/UTs (except U'fs of Chandigarh,
Puduchemy and Urban area ofDadra & Nagar Haveli which have adopted DBT Cash Transfer
scheme).
88>k # # #