Centre asks states to expedite reforms to bring transparency in PDS

16 September, New Delhi

Centre Friday asked the States to expedite the reforms to bring transparency in the functioning of the Public Distribution Scheme (PDS).

Addressing mediapersons in New Delhi, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan highlighted the significant role played by Central and State Governments in ensuring food security to more than 80 crore eligible beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), which is presently being implemented in 34 States and Union Territories.

Mr Paswan requested Kerala and Tamil Nadu also to implement the Act as early as possible.

He appreciated the significant efforts made by the various State and Union Territory governments in achieving 100 per cent digitization of ration cards and automating 1.5 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPS) across the country.

Paswan said due to Aadhaar seeding a total of 2.33 crore duplicate ration cards have been deleted across 27 States and UTs, which has led to estimated ‘rightful targeting of food subsidies’ of 14,000 crore rupees.