Paswan asks NE states to implement total PDS computerisation

Shillong, Oct 4: "Union Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution minister Ram Vilas Paswan today asked North Eastern states including Meghalaya to implement the end-to-end computerisation of the public distribution system to check leakages.

I had personally written to all the chief ministers to implement the end-to-end computerisation of the PDS and they must see that complaints should not be there," Paswan told reporters after chairing the Hindi Salahakar Samity meeting held in the city here today.

The move comes following complaints from beneficiaries about either less quantity or poor quality of foodgrains being supplied to them. Paswan said this will ensure end-to-end tracking of foodgrains till the point it (foodgrain) reaches the fair price shops.

So far, 18 states have implemented the end-to-end computerisation of PDS. On the other hand, the Union minister also asked the chief ministers to ensure Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) facilities are in place for both urban and rural areas.

"It is upto the state governments to request as we have no problem," Paswan said while informing that only three states including Puducherry and Chandigarh have implemented the DBT which is being sent direct to the beneficiary's account.

On the complaints of failure to distribute the rice for past few months, the union minister said that the state governments should also ensure that such complaints are addressed as this is under its purview.

"If there is any delay and we don’t send grains on time for that we are responsible..However, when they (state govt) are lifting 100 per cent every month then why don't the beneficiaries get that 100 per cent every month," he said.

PTI