State Food Ministers Meet to Discuss Reforms in PDS

State Food Ministers Meet to Discuss Reforms in PDS

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has convened a meeting of State Food & Agricultural Ministers to discuss reforms in PDS. Improvement in Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), procurement of foodgrains and enhancement of storage capacity in view of proposed National Food Security Act are also in the agenda of the meeting. Two-day conference, to be held on February 8 & 9, 2012 in New Delhi, will be inaugurated by Shri Pranab Mukherji and will be addressed by Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas. Senior officials of various Central ministries, Planning Commission and UIDAI will also participate during the Conference. Issue of additional requirement of foodgrain production, procurement, required storage capacity and quality control will be discussed in detail with the respective stakeholders during the meeting. The Government is working on improving procurement infrastructure and optimization of storage and transportation cost and losses. It is also considering committed transportation system for speedy movement of foodgrains to consuming states from procurement centres. Direct payments to the farmers to encourage procurement is also being adopted. State Governments will be requested to identify steps to further strengthen these efforts during the discussions. The Government has launched computerization of PDS end to end, some pilot projects have already been completed successfully and in some States significant progress has been made in issuing of biometric cards, identification of beneficiaries for various categories and elimination of bogus ration cards. The Conference will discuss further strengthening these efforts and linking it with UIDAI. Senior officials from Ministry of Women & Child Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Department of School Education and Literacy, Department of Economic Affairs, National Advisory Council and Planning Commission will also make presentations during the meet.