1. PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OUTLINE

The goal of the Public Distribution System in Tamil Nadu is to ensure food security to all citizens, particularly poor people, by making available essential commodities of good quality at affordable prices every month, through fair price shops which are accessible.

1.Objectives of the Public Distribution System:

  • Elimination of chronic hunger and starvation in Tamil Nadu.

  • Protect citizens from ill effects of rise in price of essential commodities.

  • Reduction of micro nutrient deficiency through fortification of essential commodities supplied through PDS.

  • Make available affordable domestic fuels like kerosene and LPG.

  • Ensure easy accessibility of Fair Price Shops by cardholders.

  • Ensure affordable prices of essential commodities , especially for the poorest.

  • Ensure availability of essential commodities at the right time every month.

2. Key strategies for effective implementation of Public Distribution System

  • Effective handling of complaints given by cardholders.

  • Open Part-time shops scheme for villages having difficulty in access to existing Fair Price Shops.

  • Timely and controlled movement of essential commodities though route charts and momentary.

  • Reduction of leakages through system improvements, tightened enforcement and deterrent criminal action.

  • Error free and correct allotment and movement of essential commodities to fair price shops through E-Governance.

3. Agencies involved in PDS

Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection department of the Government of Tamil Nadu lays down policy for Public Distribution System in Tamil Nadu and is under the charge of Hon'ble Minister for Food and headed by a Secretary to Government. There are three agencies under the CF&CP department:

1.Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department (CS&CPD): is headed by a Commissioner with 31 district offices and 221 taluk/zonal offices.

2.Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC): is responsible for procurement, movement and supply of essential commodities under PDS and is headed by a Managing Director.

3.Registry of Cooperative Societies (RCS): is responsible for running FPS through its cooperative societies in all districts and is headed by a Registrar aided by Joint Registrars in each district.

4.Ministry of Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution: in the Government of India is responsible for fixing procurement prices of food grains and allots subsidized food grains to the State Governments under PDS.

5.Food Corporation of India : is a Government of India organization that procures rice, wheat and other essential commodities from various states and moves them to states as per Ministry of Food allotment orders under PDS.