**Executive Summary**
This document addresses an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha regarding the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) in Dakshina Kannada. The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution provides answers regarding implementation gaps, e-KYC completion, grievance redressal, and quality control measures. The question was raised on February 4th, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Implementation Gaps and e-KYC Status:**
* No specific grievances or reports indicate systemic implementation gaps in Dakshina Kannada, including access to foodgrains due to e-KYC or device issues.
* 98.72% of beneficiaries in Karnataka have completed e-KYC.
* 100% of ration cards and beneficiaries in Karnataka are Aadhaar-seeded, and 99.4% of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) are fully online.
* **Ensuring Uninterrupted Supply:**
* All States/UTs have been advised that no genuine beneficiary should be denied foodgrains under PM-GKAY due to temporary issues like authentication failure or technical constraints.
* Alternative mechanisms and administrative safeguards are in place.
* **Expediting e-KYC Completion:**
* The State Government has been advised to expedite e-KYC completion through outreach at Fair Price Shops and designated centers.
* **Addressing Grievances:**
* No specific complaint of denial of ration, delayed delivery or administrative confusion has been received.
* States/UTs have been advised that no beneficiary should be denied foodgrains due to authentication issues.
* **Quality and Safety of Foodgrains:**
* Regular quality checks are conducted by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Storage & Research (S&R) division.
* Substandard foodgrains are promptly replaced.
* A Quality Control Manual has been issued to maintain foodgrain quality standards from procurement to distribution.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Beneficiaries of PM-GKAY in Karnataka
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries should continue to receive uninterrupted access to foodgrains through the PM-GKAY scheme. The emphasis on e-KYC completion and alternative mechanisms aims to minimize any disruptions.
* **Action Required:** Complete e-KYC if not already done, and report any instances of denial of access to foodgrains despite being eligible.
**Stakeholder:** State Governments and UTs
* **Impact:** State Governments and UTs need to ensure that foodgrain distribution under PM-GKAY is carried out without interruption, even when authentication or technical issues arise.
* **Action Required:** Implement alternative mechanisms and administrative safeguards to prevent denial of foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries and expedite e-KYC completion.
**Stakeholder:** Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Storage & Research (S&R) division
* **Impact:** The entities are responsible for the quality and safety of foodgrains distributed under PM-GKAY.
* **Action Required:** Conduct regular quality checks, promptly replace substandard foodgrains, and adhere to the Quality Control Manual to maintain quality standards.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY): A food security scheme to provide free food grains to eligible beneficiaries.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution: The central government ministry responsible for the administration of food security programs and policies.
Dakshina Kannada: A district in Karnataka where the implementation of PM-GKAY is being questioned.
Karnataka: The state where Dakshina Kannada is located and where e-KYC completion rates are discussed.
Fair Price Shops (FPSs): Shops used for the distribution of subsidized food grains.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 717
TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026
PMGKAY IN DAKSHINA KANNADA
717. SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a): whether the Government has identified implementation gaps under Pradhan Mantri Garib
Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) in Dakshina Kannada particularly cases where eligible
beneficiaries were unable to access free foodgrains due to pending e-KYC verification, Point-of-
Sale (PoS) device failures or ration card portability issues;
(b): if so, the details thereof and the corrective measures taken by the Government to ensure
uninterrupted supply;
(c): whether it is a fact that over 17,000 beneficiaries in Dakshina Kannada are yet to
complete their e-KYC and if so, the details regarding the delay and any action has been taken by
the Government to resolve the same;
(d): whether complaints regarding irregularities such as denial of ration, delayed delivery or
administrative confusion were formally recorded and if so, the corrective actions initiated by the
authorities in this regard; and
(e): the steps taken by the Government to ensure quality checks and timely replacement of
substandard foodgrains distributed and to prevent recurrence of lapses?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a): The Government has not received any specific grievance or report indicating systemic
implementation gaps under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) in
Dakshina Kannada district, including instances of eligible beneficiaries being unable to access free
foodgrains due to pending e-KYC verification, Point-of-Sale (PoS) device failures or ration card
portability issues. As on date, 98.72% of beneficiaries in Karnataka have completed e-KYC
verification. Further, in the State of Karnataka, 100% ration cards and beneficiaries are Aadhaar-
seeded and about 99.4% of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) are fully online, enabling smooth
implementation of the scheme.
(b): This Department has advised all States/UTs that no genuine beneficiary is denied
foodgrains under PM-GKAY even in cases where temporary issues such as authentication failure or
technical constraints arise. Adequate alternative mechanisms and administrative safeguards are in
place to ensure uninterrupted supply of entitled foodgrains.(c): At present, 98.72% of beneficiaries in Karnataka have already completed e-KYC. Further,
the State Government has been advised to expedite the completion of e-KYC for the remaining
beneficiaries through targeted outreach and facilitation at Fair Price Shops and designated centers
to ensure full coverage.
(d): No specific complaint of denial of ration, delayed delivery or administrative confusion has
been received. Further, all States/UTs have been advised that no genuine beneficiary/household
shall be denied from receiving entitled quota of subsidized foodgrains due to failure of
biometric/Aadhaar authentication due to network/connectivity/linking related issues, other
technical reasons or proof of biometrics of the beneficiary.
(e): To ensure quality and safety of foodgrains distributed under PM-GKAY, regular quality
checks are conducted by teams of the Food Corporation of India (FC:I) and the Storage & Research
(S&R) division of the Department in accordance with prescribed norms. Foodgrains found to be
below the Uniform Specifications are promptly replaced as per laid-down procedures. Further, the
Department has formulated and issued Quality Control Manual to uniformly maintain the quality
standards of foodgrains from procurement to its distribution to the eligible beneficiaries through
various social security programmes of GoI. These measures, along with continuous monitoring,
help prevent recurrence of lapses and ensure timely supply of quality foodgrains to beneficiaries.
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