Targeted PDS coverage below 50%

A Planning Commission study has revealed that only about 42 per cent of subsidised foodgrain reach targeted families.

The study of the Targeted Public Distribution System, which covered 18 states, held that though the offtake per household has shown improvement yet only about 57 per cent of the below the poverty line households are covered. The information was given by minister of state for finance Pawan Kumar Bansal in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Based on evaluation studies and feedback received from states, a nine point action plan has been jointly formulated by the central and the state governments to strengthen the TPDS.

These include regular reviews of the BPL and Antyodaya Ann Yojana lists to ensure coverage of eligible families, involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the public distribution system operations, use of information technology, and creating awareness among public about PDS operations.

The amount of subsidy for food, fertilizers and petroleum during 2007-08 is estimated at Rs 64,929 crore (Rs 649.29 billion).

The food subsidies are largely designed to target below the poverty line, the other two subsidies, namely fertiliser and petroleum, particularly-the LPG are available to all consumers, Bansal said.