Other Frequently Asked Questions about our services and offices

Some of the frequently asked questions about services provided by our offices and Fair Price Shops have been answered under earlier sections on new cards and other services. Some additional questions on these issues are answered here based on our feedback at our AC/TSO office counters:

1. Can a single person apply for a ration card ?

  • Yes, a single person whose is living alone for atleast one year separately in a residence can apply for a family card. He/She should satisfy all the documentary requirements as stated in the section on new family card applications.

  • Sons or daughters, married or otherwise, living with their parents are NOT eligible for a separate family card.

2. Can a transgender person apply for a family card ?

Yes, a transgender person is fully eligible to apply for a card for his/her family just like any other person. The same rules apply.

3. Are there any online services under E-Governance for PDS consumers?

There are no online services at present. However, it is proposed to launch online family card application services by end 2008.

4. What can be done if an officer or staff or any other person demands bribes ?

  • Applicants are requested to strictly avoid paying a bribe for any public service provided by this department.

  • In case, any officer or staff or tout demand a bribe for any public services provided by this department, cardholders are requested to immediately contact the officers of Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption for immediate action.

5. What details are to be displayed in the notice board in the Fair Price Shops ?

Following details are to be displayed by Fair Price Shops

Timings ............................ AM to ............................. PM

Lunch Hours .................... AM to ............................. PM

Closed on .......................... Day

Name of the Shop

Name of organisation which runs the fair price shop.

No.of ration cards attached to the shop (option-wise)

Scale of supply and issue price of different commodities.

Monthly allotment ( essential commodity-wise).

Supply (commodity wise)

Stock position as on date.

Name of the kerosene wholesaler.

Name of the shop personnel.

Telephone numbers of Secretary to Government / Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department / District Collectors / District Supply and Consumer Protection Officer / Taluk supply Officer to whom complaints can be made.

6. What documents are available in Fair Price Shops relating to ration cardholders ?

  • "A" Register (Sl.No. and name of ration card holders, Unit, LPG cylinders details)

  • Drawal Register ( Cardwise, Commodity wise details of date and quantity purchased by card holders)

  • Daily Chitta ( Cardwise details of daily sales of commodities)

  • Bill Book ( Bills given to cardholders on purchase of commodities)

  • Stock Register ( Receipt , Sales, closing balance )

  • Inspection Register ( To record the inspection remarks by Inspecting officials )

Public can obtain copies of the above document as per Right to Information Act, 2005.

7. What documents can be obtained from Fair Price Shop by a consumer ?

Instructions have been issued that if a consumer wishes to obtain the particulars regarding issue of PDS commodities, copies of 'A' register or any other document mentioned above, they can be obtained on payment of Rs.1/- per page. If the entire 'A' register is required, a copy will be given on payment of Rs. 50/- if it contains 100 pages or less, and on payment of Rs. 100 if it contains more than 100 pages. Information regarding allotment and issue of commodities by a fair price shop for past three months can be obtained by anyone from the Taluk Supply Officer / Assistant Commissioner on payment of the prescribed fee. The Government of Tamil Nadu would like to reiterate its commitment to Universal PDS with its focus on the poor through this Charter and expects all agencies concerned with the implementation to do their utmost for efficient , effective and successful implementation of Universal PDS.

8. What are the duties of a consumer under Public Distribution System ?

  • Applicants must furnish correct and true information. It is an offence to furnish wrong information for obtaining Family cards.

  • Family cards should not be used by any person other than family members in the card.

  • Family card should be surrendered to the officer who issued the card while leaving the place permanently and obtain a certificate to this effect.

  • Essential commodities obtained from fair price shops should be used by members of the family only and should not be sold to others.

  • Change of address should be informed to officials concerned within 7 days.

  • Do not sell or mortgage cards. Selling or mortgaging Family cards is an offence under the Essential Commodities Act 1955.

  • Cardholders may ensure that the commodities are measured properly by the FPS salesman before taking delivery. Consumer can insist on checking the weighing machines or the weights used.

  • Cardholders may ensure that bills for quantities purchased are recorded properly and collect the bill before leaving the FPS.

  • Cardholders may also check if the PDS commodities purchased are recorded correctly in the Family card. There is possibility of the salesman recording the purchase wrongly or make false entries.

  • Information on bogus cards or persons dealing in bogus cards or any irregularities in the Fair Price Shops should be informed to officials concerned over telephone or by email. It is not essential to disclose your identity. This will enable the genuine cardholders to get their share of the essential commodities.

  • Cardholders should not leave their cards with salesmen. Fair Price Shop salesmen should not keep any family card with them. If any Fair Price shop employee is found to keep family cards of consumers, penal action will be initiated.

9. What are the standards regarding Quality of Food grains supplied under PDS ?

  • Quality standards of rice and wheat supplied under PDS is as laid down by Ministry of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Government of India.

  • For all other commodities supplied under PDS, the standards laid down under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act applies.

  • Joint sampling is done by representatives of Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. and officials of Food Corporation of India before issue of food grains from FCI godowns. Whenever, Tamil Nadu Civil supplies Corporation Ltd. is not able to send a representative for joint sampling, FCI may issue the food grains after observing the necessary formalities to avoid delay.

  • FCI also issues to Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. sealed samples (a sample will be retained by FCI office/godown also) of the stocks of food grains supplied to them for distribution under the Public Distribution system at the time of dispatch. Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. shall exercise necessary checks to ensure that full quantity lifted by them reaches their godowns and the fair price shops. They will also ensure that the stocks are not replaced by inferior quality stocks during storage, transit or at any other stage in the chain.

10. What is the system of Inspection and Checking of Fair Price Shops ?

  • Fair Price Shops have to maintain prescribed sales records/ registers, stock registers and family card registers.

  • Collectors/Deputy Commissioners (Chennai) ensure inspection of Fair Price Shop of not less than once in one month by designated authorities.

  • During inspections, quality and quantity of rations supplied through Fair Price Shops, smooth functioning of the Fair Price Shop with reference to opening and closing time of Fair Price Shops and dealings of Fair Price Shops employees with the beneficiaries will be checked.

  • Inspecting officers are directed to meet atleast 10 cardholders in each FPS before visiting the FPS for inspection to ascertain the quality of service provided by the FPS salesman and problems faced by cardholders.