Address key issues to implement new food law: Thomas to states

Calls for greater coordination and cooperation between the Centre and states

Food Minister K V Thomas today asked state governments to address three critical issues, identification of beneficiaries, creation of storage capacity and door-step delivery of foodgrains via PDS, for the successful implementation of the food security law.

Addressing the state food ministers meet here, he called for greater coordination and cooperation between the centre and state governments to implement the law in 'true spirit'.

The day-long meeting is discussing state governments' concerns over the implementation of the new law. Food ministers from 20 states were present, while three BJP-ruled states Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh abstained.

"One of the most critical issues for successful implementation of the Act is identification of beneficiaries under the targeted public distribution system (TPDS). The next crucial issue is door step delivery of foodgrains and third is creation of scientific storage capacity at various levels," Thomas said.

Stating that state governments play a crucial role in successful implementation of the law, he said the first thing they need to do is to evolve fair and transparent criteria to identify the beneficiaries correctly and take this opportunity to eliminate errors of inclusion and exclusion.

"Please bear in mind that lack of fairness and transparency may render the whole exercise of identification meaningless, besides leading to legal scrutiny," Thomas said.

On door-step delivery of foodgrains, he reminded the state governments about the Supreme Court directions in this regard. He said steps should be taken to set up infrastructure for the door-step delivery and to prevent leakages and diversion of foodgrains.

Thomas said door-step delivery of foodgrains to PDS beneficiaries is also essential for ensuring viability of fair price shops (FPS). "With meager margins paid to FPS dealers, this additional responsibility eats into their already paltry income, giving rise to temptation for diversion.